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EDITED WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES 



BY 



SYLVESTER PRIMER, Ph.D. 

Professor of Teutonic Languages at the University of Texas 



BOSTON, U.S.A. 

D. C. HEATH & CO., PUBLISHERS 

1899 






Copyright, 1894, 
By Sylvester Primer. 



Printed by Carl H. Heintzemann, Boston, Mass. 



PREFACE. 



The prominence given to this drama in German litera- 
ture, the deep philosophical and religious nature of the 
work, the bitter controversy which was the immediate cause 
of its publication, the many critical treatises and disserta- 
tions which it has called forth, and the profound interest 
we all feel in the questions discussed, make it desirable 
to include this work in any course of readings in German 
literature. It is an extremely suitable book for advanced 
students, as it contains problems having an especial bear- 
ing upon every- day life; it is in fact a drama of life, 
ennobling,- uplifting, elevating above sordid interests, and 
leading imperceptibly to that higher education of the 
intellect and soul which belongs to modern advanced civil- 
ization. None can read it and understand it without being 
inspired with nobler views of life, purer views of his duty to 
God and man, and clearer views of faith, love, charity, and 
tolerance. As a study of literature it is a gem of the first 
water, and should become a part of the education of every 
well-informed German scholar. To the student of language 
also it offers great inducements for a careful study. For 
Lessing has put excellent work in this drama, which is a 
model of perspicuity, originality, and naturalness. The 
verse is not as polished as that of later writers, but is forci- 
ble, energetic, and manly. Goethe declares that Lessing 
„tourbe nadb unb nadf) gartj epigrammatifd) in feinert ©ebidE)ten, 



IV PREFACE. 

Inapp m ber SJtinna, lafonifd^ in ©milia ©alotti; tyater 
fetyrte er erft ju einer tyeiteren Slatoetat guriitf, bie ityn fo rootyl 
fleibet im -Watty an." It may well be called the last note of 
the dying swan, for it was Lessing's last words to the 
public. 

The Introduction contains nothing original, as the emi- 
nent critics have left but little to be said on the subject. 
It simply collects and arranges the information necessary 
to a proper understanding of the situation of the author 
and the problem of the drama. Acknowledgment is here 
given for the aid derived from those whose works are men- 
tioned in the Bibliography on p. 299. Special mention 
is also made in the body of the work wherever necessary. 

The text is based on that of Dr. Robert Boxberger in 
Joseph Kiirschnei's Deutsche National- Litter atur, Band 60. 
Some changes have been made after a careful collation 
with the excellent text of Lachmann-Maltzahn. 

The Notes are critical and explanatory, though the 
literary side has not been forgotten. The aim has been to 
bring out all the beauties of the play and show the poet and 
dramatic critic in his work. For the critic produced 
masterpieces according to his own high standard proclaimed 
in his Dramaturgy. 

The Bibliography contains only those works treating of 
the Nathan. For general works on Lessing see the 
Bibliography to Minna von Barnhelm in this same series. 

For helpful suggestions, thanks are due Professor Calvin 
Thomas, Dr. Walter Lefevre and Dr. Morgan Callaway, Jr. 

SYLVESTER PRIMER. 
Austin, Texas, May 30, 1894. 



INTRODUCTION. 



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Deutfdjefte, toaS urtjere $oefte gefcfjaffen rjat." — ®er&inu§. 

I. LESSING AND RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHY. 

Religion, philosophy, the problem of life, all receive a care- 
ful consideration in Lessing's Nathan the Wise, and we cannot 
fully understand it in its bearing upon the burning questions of 
that day and our own without at least a general knowledge of 
the religious questions which the author attempts to solve by his 
drama and some slight examination of the influence which the 
philosophy of the period exerted upon the discussions of its 
religious and social problems. It is the child of the Age of 
Enlightenment, that age in which the minds of men were deeply 
moved, in which there was such a revolution of opinions and 
feelings as had not been since the great Reformation. In fact, 
the Age of Enlightenment really resumes the prematurely inter- 
rupted work of the Reformation and carries it to its logical 
conclusion. The movement of the Reformation is theological, 
that of the Age of Enlightenment is philosophical ; with the 
former revelation remains intact ; the latter denies divine revela- 
tion, and lets religious knowledge consist merely in human 
thought and feeling. 

After Luther the Bible became the norm of faith ; but who was 
to guide the believer in discovering its truth ? Was he to be a 
law unto himself, or should there be a third person, or principle, 
that should be authority to him? Here the Reformers took 
two courses diametrically opposed to each other. The one 
party, who did not wish to trust to subjective reason, to human 

v 



VI INTRODUCTION. 

intellect, interpreted the truth contained in the Bible according 
to the public confessions and symbols of their own church ; a 
course not very different from that of the Roman Catholic 
Church. Others, without regard to the confessions of faith in 
their particular churches, explained the Scriptures according to 
the dictum of their own subjective reason, thus endangering the 
truth as a whole, the real body of religious faith ; for only 
when there is some generally recognized principle which will 
enable us to determine what truth the Scriptures do teach, and 
to distinguish the true from the false, can the freedom de- 
manded by the Reformers, independent of every mere outer 
authority, be brought into unison with the objective divine 
truth. 

Soon, however, the spiritual life of the Protestant movement 
yielded to doctrinal soundness, and the piety of the emotions 
was underrated. Dogmatism now usurped all authority, which 
was naturally not at all pleasing to the more devout ; hence we 
find mysticism and pietism rapidly gaining ground. But the 
real attack on the Lutheran faith came from a quarter hitherto 
little heeded, and with weapons which had not been used for a 
long time. It threatened to subvert the entire fabric. Reason 
in religion was the mighty force which now came to the front 
and began that destructive Biblical criticism which is still 
raging. The authority which the Reformers, when contesting 
the infallibility of the Church, had placed in the Holy Scriptures, 
had yielded to that criticism which subjected the Bible to the 
same tests as were applied to classic authors. It was the Age 
of Enlightenment which made reason the norm by which the 
truth of revelation was to be judged. Belief became doubt ; 
doubt, rationalism. The bonds of the narrow point of view were 
rent asunder by the free intellect of a general civilization. Ger- 
man theological rationalism endeavored to test thoroughly the 
underlying principles of the various beliefs, sift the good from 
the bad, and elevate the moral standard. The clear and 



INTRODUCTION. Vll 

sensible doctrine of morality proclaimed by the rationalists, 
and moral philosophers spread good morals, freedom of thought 
and religious tolerance. An attempt was made to reconcile 
philosophy and religion. Many theologians, who believed that 
the real orthodox faith harmonized with philosophy, confidently 
asserted that the union between reason and revelation had 
been sealed forever. But the attempt at such union proved 
abortive. 

It must not be supposed that this new movement was entirely 
successful in suppressing the adherents of the old faith. This 
was not accomplished till the last two decades of the century, 
when Kant's philosophy transformed the essential doctrines of 
the Christian belief into general expressions of morality ; how- 
ever, the conflict in which Lessing took such an important part 
was advanced to another stage by Kant's Philosophy of Pure 
Reason. The representatives of orthodoxy, who insisted upon 
the authority of the Bible and the symbols, and also claimed the 
power of the temporal authorities for themselves, strove with 
all the means at their command to overcome this enemy who 
was threatening to overthrow the very foundation of the present 
theological system. 

Early in life Lessing showed a deep interest in everything 
pertaining to the religious nature of man. In the fragment en- 
titled Thoughts on the Moravians he sought to free religious 
truth from all adulteration, and guard it against the caprice of 
the opinions, subtilties and sophisms of reason. There he 
maintained that poverty of knowledge is superior to the arro- 
gance of hollow thinking. Cardan (i 501-1576) had repre- 
sented in his De Subtilitate (1552) the four religions of the 
world, Heathenism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islamism, in a 
dialogue in which each representative defended his own belief 
and sought to refute the others. Since Cardan showed indiffer- 
ence as to which was victor in the controversy he was accused 
of hostility to Christianity. Lessing undertook his defence and 



Vlll INTRODUCTION. 

easily proved that Cardan was really guilty of favoring Chris- 
tianity, because he had given to the Christian the strongest, to 
his opponents the weakest arguments. The Jew and the Mus- 
sulman, said Lessing, could have defended themselves against 
the unjust attacks of the Christian far better than Cardan lets 
them. Then Lessing took up the cause of the Jew and Mussul- 
man and showed how both could and should have answered. 
In the defence of the Mussulman he used the arguments of the 
Deists to prove the superiority of Islamism to Christianity. 
This religious feature reminds us vividly oi Nathan, and perhaps 
Danzel is not far wrong when he says that Lessing's first 
thought of Nathan arose here. 

What, then, was Lessing's position on the religious questions 
of the day? A difficult problem to solve. He certainly was 
not strictly orthodox, and yet he did not wholly reject orthodoxy 
and pass over to the so-called school of rationalism which seemed 
to wish to make tabula rasa of the past and leave the future to 
wild speculation. Lessing preferred to leave the old, bad as it 
was, till something better could be found to take its place. The 
trend of Lessing's thoughts was on the side of the movement of 
Enlightenment. But he was by nature an investigator and 
needed to examine everything carefully, and to consider thor- 
oughly every possible phase of a question before he decided. 
In his opinion the final object of religion was not absolute sal- 
vation, no matter how, but salvation through enlightenment, 
for enlightenment to him meant salvation. The bent of his 
mind was toward historical researches, which distinguished him 
from the popular philosophers of the day. This led him to 
his favorite idea of a graded and regular historical development 
of the religious nature of man. He hated dogmatism of what- 
ever kind, whether of old tradition, of authoritative faith, or 
of Enlightenment itself, and fought it wherever he found it. 
That combination of philosophy and religion so popular in his 
day he opposed. He regretted that the natural partition be- 



INTRODUCTION. IX 

tween the two had been torn down : for " under the pretext of 
making us reasonable Christians they (these tinkers) make us 
most unreasonable philosophers.'' 

His controversy with Goeze* gave him the desired opportunity 
to explain and establish more fully his idea of religion and 
Christianity. He there makes the true distinction between 
! religion per se and the form in which it is clothed at any definite 
time and by any definite sect. Whether religion with him 
means anything more than morality still remains an unsolved 
problem. He certainly understood the distinction between the 
religion of Christ and the Christian religion, that is, the religion 
of piety and love of mankind, and the worship of Christ as a 
supernatural being. This is the central thought of the A^athan. 
■ ' The Nathan is the poetic glorification of the idea which con- 
siders the human side of the question of more importance than 
the positive, the moral more important than the dogmatic, which 
judges man, not by what he believes, but by what he is" 
(Zeller, Deutsche Philosophie, 304 ff.). Lessing did not accept 
the orthodox doctrines of faith without questioning them ; he 
was too independent for that. He certainly showed that he was 
a thinker on theological questions who understood the specu- 
lative depth inherent in the dogmas of Christianity, and took the 
field against the Socinians and Deists who ignored that 
depth. And yet, though often a defendant of Lutheran ortho- 
doxy, the time came when Lessing was considered its greatest 
opponent, and with much justice, though he was forced into this 
attitude against his own wish and in self-defense. 

II. THE ANTI-GOEZE CONTROVERSY. 

While in Hamburg Lessing probably made the acquaintance 
of the writings of Professor H. S. Reimarus (1768!) ; for he was 
well acquainted with the children of the professor, and undoubt- 

* Pastor J. M. Goeze of Hamburg, with whom Lessing had his celebrated con- 
troversy about the Wolfenbiittel Fragments. 



X INTRODUCTION. 

edly received a copy of the manuscript from them. Under the 
title of Fragments froi7i an Unknown he published parts of this 
manuscript while at Wolfenbiittel in his Contributions to History 
and Literature. Their publication was accompanied by Les- 
sing's notes, in which he called attention to the weakness of the 
authors arguments, and often suggested how they might best be 
answered. These fragments excited little interest at first ; a 
mere accident drew public attention to them. The Hamburg 
Pastor Goeze was then engaged in writing the history of the 
Low Saxon Bibles, and had written to Lessing to collate a 
Bible found in the library for a certain passage. Lessing was 
then in great anxiety about the life of his wife, who lay at the 
point of death, and either neglected or forgot to attend to the 
matter. This won him the bitter enmity of Goeze, who con- 
sidered himself misused. Goeze now took up the subject of 
the Fragments with fanatical rage and declared Lessing^ run- 
ning comments on them to be a hostile attack upon the Chris- 
tian religion. When outdone by Lessing in this literary pas- 
sage-at-arms he resorted to the Consistory at Brunswick. The 
Fragments were confiscated and Lessing was strictly forbidden 
for the future to publish anything on religious matters, either 
at home or abroad, either with or without his name, without 
the express sanction of the government. But Lessing was not 
intimidated, and in 1776 he directed another scathing article 
at his foe entitled, Necessary Answer to an Unnecessary Ques- 
tion. It was the last word of the whole controversy. Thus 
the affair took a different turn from that which Lessing had 
at first thought to give it. He now found himself obliged to 
shake the very foundations of the Orthodox-Lutheran system, 
and to call forth a battle between the spirit and the letter which 
has been left to us as an inheritance. 

Lessing's Anti-Goeze writings which this controversy called 
forth have ever been admired for their wit and brilliancy. The 
genius of this great critic is here shown in its full power. If 



INTRODUCTION. XI 

the wit, even where it plays with the person of Goeze, who was 
by no means to be despised, produces an elevating feeling in us, 
the reason of this elevation can only be found in the fact that 
it is the force of the truth by which we feel ourselves imper- 
ceptibly drawn on. His first and greatest contributions are his 
Axiomata, of which the first reads thus : " The letter is not the 
spirit, and the Bible is not religion. The Bible contains more 
than belongs to religion, and it is a mere hypothesis that the 
Bible is as infallible in this more as in the rest.' 1 Lessing thus 
distinguishes between the spirit, or the absolute principle from 
which religion proceeds, and the holy Scriptures, that document 
in which religion is contained, but in which more appears than 
belongs to religion. He does not deny, therefore, that that part 
of the Bible which contains real religious principles was inspired 
by the Holy Ghost. Consequently objections to the letter and 
the Bible are not likewise objections to the spirit and religion. 
His second axiom runs thus : " Religion also existed before the 
Bible. Christianity existed before the evangelists and apostles 
wrote. Some time passed before the first of these wrote, and a 
very considerable time before the whole canon was produced. 
However much we may depend on these writings, the whole 
truth of the Christian religion cannot possibly rest upon them. 
If there was indeed a period in which it had already taken 
possession of so many souls, and in which assuredly no letter of 
that which has come to us was written, it must be possible that 
all that the evangelists and apostles wrote was lost and yet the 
religion taught by them maintained itself. 1 ' Lessing could 
easily prove that the teaching of the first apostles was oral and 
that tradition was more important than the Scriptures. The 
Rule of Faith existed before any book of the New Testament, 
and it became the test of the writings of the apostles by which 
the present canon was made, and many other epistles, though 
bearing the names of apostles, were rejected. He maintained 
that it was not possible to show that the apostles and evangelists 



Xll INTRODUCTION. 

wrote their works for the express purpose of having the Christian 
religion completely and wholly deduced and proved by them. 
Ages passed before the Scriptures acquired any authority, and 
without the Rule of Faith it would be impossible to prove the 
present Christian religion. This was playing into the hands of 
the Catholics, but whether intentionally or rather to point out a 
real defect of the Protestant doctrines, is left ambiguous ; it is 
certainly the weighty point in the contest. Lessing feared that 
he might be misunderstood and therefore sought to forestall 
hostile criticism in his third axiom, where he says: " Religion 
is not true because the evangelists and apostles taught it, but 
they taught it because it is true. From its inner truth the 
written traditions must be explained, and all written traditions 
can give it no inner truth when it has none." In other words, 
religion does not receive its truth from those who proclaim 
it, nor does the document in which it is contained lend it a truth 
it does not possess itself. Religion, then, is independent of the 
Bible. 

The enunciation of this principle caused great discontent 
among those who could not see any difference between religion 
par excellence and the Bible, its promulgator. Our historical 
knowledge of revealed religion comes to us immediately from 
the Bible, but the real knowledge of truth is to be found in 
independent inner signs which are no more dependent on the 
Bible than the truth of a geometrical problem is dependent on 
the book in which it is found. Lessing distinguishes in the 
Bible the spirit from the letter, the eternal from the temporal. 
Lessing's contemporaries were not able to comprehend nor fully 
to appreciate the truth which forms the basis of his polemic 
against his opponents. In his Education of the Human Racehe 
advances to a grander truth, viz., that " what Education is 
to the individual man, Revelation is to the Human Race. Educa- 
tion is Revelation which comes to the individual man. Revela- 
tion is Education which has come to the Human Race, and is 



INTRODUCTION. Xlll 

still coming. " He divides God^s Revelation to man into three 
stages : The first is that of the Israelites under the Old Dispen- 
sation, the lowest stage, where perceptible punishment and 
rewards are necessary. Fear of temporal punishment prevented 
the evil from breaking out in man. Christianity was the second 
stage, the spiritual religion. Christ became the teacher of the 
immortality of the soul, and thus another true future life gained 
an influence upon the acts of men. "These writings (of the 
New Testament) have for seventeen hundred years enlightened 
human reason more than all other books, if only by the light 
which human reason has given to them," As the human race 
outgrew the Old Dispensation it will also outgrow the New. 
The third stage, or the stage of " the new, eternal gospel which 
is promised in the elementary books of the New Testament will 
surely come." This is the time of perfection, "when man, the 
more convinced his reason feels of the ever better future, will 
indeed not have to borrow motives for his actions from this 
future, since he will do the good because it is good, not because 
arbitrary rewards have been promised which should merely fix 
and strengthen the fickle look in order to teach the inner, better 
rewards of the same." Lessing maintains that the inducement 
to do good for the professing Christian is not so much the pure 
love of the good as rather the prospect of eternal happiness, 
which, according to Christian doctrines, is the consequence of 
virtue. A certain eudemonistic element, therefore, will still 
cling to the common Christian doctrine and it would only be 
reserved for the religion of the future to display virtue in its 
complete purity. Not till the time when men recognize the 
truth of religion and have given themselves wholly up to that 
truth, with the heart freed from every emotion of eudemonism, 
nave they arrived at that grade of development where they may 
expect the New Gospeh This third age will come, of that our 
author has no doubt. Lessing therefore declares that no posi- 
tive religion has any right to claim supremacy. Particular races 



XIV INTRODUCTION. 

and particular times must have a religion suited to them and 
their time, which must change as they outgrow it, or as the 
times change. There is constant growth, constant advance. 
In this light no nation, no person, has the right to claim that 
his religion is the only true religion ; nor can he claim his to be 
superior on the plea of special revelation, but only as having 
more of the divine nature in it. In other words it must be less 
mixed with elements foreign to the true nature of religion and to 
God in order to be superior. Lessing did not join those skeptics 
who were attempting to overthrow the Church and all religious 
belief, but he had the courage to proclaim to these iconoclasts 
that they misunderstood the religion they assailed. It had 
achieved great good for the human race and would continue its 
work. "Why," he asks, "will we not rather recognize in 
positive religions the direction in which alone the human under- 
standing has been able to develop itself in various places, and 
may yet further develop itself, than either smile or scowl at 
either of them?" 

III. NATHAN THE WISE. 

In the Goeze controversy Lessing had violated the commands 
of those over him and felt that he might lose his position as 
librarian of Wolfenbiittel ; moreover he wished to put in popular 
and imperishable form the principles established by the discus- 
sion. Therefore he conceived the idea of preparing the Nathan 
for publication and selling it on subscription. The first definite 
notice we find of the play is in a letter to his brother, dated 
August ii, 1778. " Many years ago," he writes, "I once 
sketched a play, the plot of which bears a kind of analogy to my 
present controversy, of which I did not then even dream. , . 
If you and Moses (Mendelssohn) wish to know it, you may 
turn to the Decanter one of Boccaccio, Giorn. I, Nov. Ill, 
Melchisedech, Giudeo. I think I have invented a very interesting 
episode to it, so that all will read well, and I shall certainly play 



INTRODUCTION. XV 

the theologians a greater joke than with ten more fragments." 
In another letter he gives the additional information that "it 
will be anything but a satirical piece which will enable me to 
leave the battle-field with sarcastic laughter. It will be as 
pathetic a piece as I have ever written, and Mr. Moses (Mendels- 
sohn) has judged correctly that mockery and laughter would not 
be in harmory with the note I struck in my last paper [Necessary 
Answer, etc.] (which you will also find vibrating in this after- 
piece), unless I wished to give up the whole controversy. But 
I do not yet have the least desire to abandon it, and he (Moses) 
shall indeed see that I am not going to injure my own cause by 
this dramatic digression. 11 On another occasion he adds : " My 
piece has nothing to do with our present blackcoats (clericals), 
and I will not block the way for its final appearance on the the- 
atre, if a hundred years must first pass. The theologians of all 
revealed religions will indeed silently curse it. but they will be 
careful not to take sides against it openly. 1 ' In other words 
Nathan represents his third stage. 

The soul of our drama, the leading thought in it, is that 
piety of the heart, justice, and love first impart the genuine con- 
secration to the confession of the definite, positive faith, such 
consecration as we see in the centurion of Capernaum, in Nico- 
demus, in Nathanael the Israelite without guile, in the Samaritan, 
in Cornelius the centurion, wh$ all received God's approbation. 
For true religion possesses the power of making one's self well- 
pleasing to God and man. It may not produce its true effect in 
everyone ; for it requires one condition, namely, faith or confi- 
dence, and only he who possesses this faith, this confidence, 
can make himself well pleasing to God and man. Therefore 
Lessing was not comparing Islamism, Judaism, and Christianity 
in Nathan and judging the three religions according to their re- 
spective merits. The very fact that Saladin is a Muhammedan, 
Nathan a Jew, and the Patriarch a Christian, but neither of them 
a true representative of his religion, contradicts this view. There 



XVI INTRODUCTION. 

is a good reason why Lessing makes the Patriarch a Christian 
and Nathan a Jew, as we shall see later on. 

The gospel of Christian love is taught in the parable of the 
Good Samaritan and is found in the words of Christ: " Love 
your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that 
hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and per- 
secute you ; that ye maybe the children of your father which is in 
heaven ; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, 
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust " (Mat. v, 44-45). 
This unegoistic, disinterested love proceeding from resignation 
to God forms the kernel of Christianity ; we see that Lessing 
acknowledges this as the vital essence of the Christian religion in 
his beautiful fragment, The Testcu?ie7it of John, who repeated 
constantly to his disciples the words, " Little Children, love ye 
one another, " and when asked why, answered, ''because it is 
the Lord's command and because when ye do that alone, ye do 
all." Moreover it is not a comparison of religions, but of men. 
For religion is not an outer garment, but a living, animating 
principle which makes its possessor well-pleasing to God and man. 
And yet every religion which does not confine itself to one indi- 
vidual, but is to take root in a nation, must be expressed in a 
certain form of divine service, in certain customs and rites." 
Every nation has its peculiar form of religion. Only when a 
religion is adapted to the nation which possesses it, can it fulfil 
its mission and educate the people to true religion. Sometimes 
the mere outward form covers up the real kernel of religion, but 
as long as the real kernel is there it has some vitalizing power. 
True tolerance is quite opposed to mere indifference and proceeds 
from a firm conviction of the truth of one's own faith ; it consists 
in the fact that we recognize in others the moral principle of 
their convictions and the historical right of certain symbols and 
rites. But he who thinks that the true essence of religion in- 
heres in these symbols and rites alone will be just as intolerant 
as he who denies their origin, their significance, and their justifi- 



INTRODUCTION. Xvil 

cation. Lessing cannot therefore be justly reproached with 
having made Christianity inferior to Islamism and Judaism, nor 
does any blame attach to him for having left it undecided which 
of the three religions is in possession of the true ring. "By 
their fruits ye shall know them." and has he not made it evident 
in his Education of the Human Race and other writings which 
of the three he considers highest? And do we not know which 
produces the best fruits ? Let modern civilization answer those 
who still doubt. Although it is Christianity in which the spirit 
of Christ reveals the truths of God most perfectly, it is not true 
of all individuals in it, and no one has the right to draw conclu- 
sions about the essence of Christianity from isolated examples. 
For there is a vast difference between the real, vivifying power 
of the gospel and sporadic distortions produced by crippled, 
mis-shapen growth ; between the truth of an idea itself and indi- 
vidual appearances of the same ; between its effect in universal 
history and its subjective existence in the souls of individual 
men. 

But why, we may justly ask, did Lessing make, a Jew 
(Nathan), a Saracen (Saladin), the representatives of his 
higher religion, and make of the Patriarch a true pattern of 
priestly arrogance and all that is most abhorrent in human 
nature? It has been w r ell answered that Lessing " wished to 
preach to the Christians, wished to make them conscious of the 
foolishness and badness of their intolerant views and shame 
them ; for this purpose distortions from their own faith and 
noble examples from the non-Christian world served him better. 
For Christ himself held the Good Samaritan as an example to 
the hard-hearted Pharisees and stiff-necked scribes ; but he did 
not wish to place Samaritanism above Judaism for all that." 
(Pabst, p. 148.) We repeat that Lessing did not choose the 
persons of his drama as representatives of their special religions. 
For if the Christians of the drama are to represent Christianity, 
then the Jews and Muhammedans must likewise represent their 



XV111 INTRODUCTION. 

religions. But neither Nathan nor Saladin, nor Sittah, nor 
Al-Han* represents at all his religion ; but one is forced to believe 
that Lessing had just the opposite in view in sketching their 
characters and actions. For he has either completely suppressed, 
or at least weakened and placed in the background, the peculiar, 
innate marks of different faiths by the compensating power of 
their religion of humanity and reason. No one would be able to 
extract the true doctrine of Christ from the characters and acts 
of the Patriarch, of Daja, of the Templar, of the Friar. The 
only reason which induced Lessing to take his best characters 
from other faiths and to make the Christians the worst is the 
lesson he wished to teach. He wished to " hold the mirror up 
to nature, to show virtue her own features, scorn her own image, 
and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure. " 
And all for the instruction of the Christians. For he wished to 
rebuke those who put the letter above the spirit, which results in 
arrogance, hypocrisy, intolerance, and fanatical persecutions. 
This was the answer to Goeze and his clan and was the con- 
tinuation of his controversy by which he hoped to defeat his 
opponents. Therefore he could not take his dramatic characters 
in which he intended to show the distortions of the Christian 
religion from among the Jews and Muhammedans, but must 
choose them from among the Christians. For his drama was 
intended for effect upon Christians, as he had his motive from 
them. Had Lessing been a Jew or Mussulman and wished to 
give them a lesson, he would have chosen a Christian for his 
model character. 

But the real, deep, underlying reason for choosing a Jew 
as model lies in the fact that the best criterion of strength and 
skill in a warrior is the degree of strength and skill shown by his 
opponent over whom he wins the victory. None of the three 
religions under discussion offers such a contrast with the idea of 
the Nathan as the Jewish ; therefore none of them makes it so 
difficult for its professor to realize this idea and so interweave it 



INTRODUCTION. XIX 

into his character as to make it a living principle of life as the 
Jewish ; none but the Jewish offers so many obstacles for over- 
coming contradictory errors and vices. The belief in Jehovah 
as the jealous, angry God of punishment rather nourishes hate 
than the common love of mankind ; the belief in Jehovah and in 
the Jewish nation as his chosen people leads to national and 
religious arrogance ; to contempt for the Gentiles : it obstructs, 
or at least renders difficult, the germination of the idea of 
humanitarianism and cosmopolitanism. The history of the Jews 
confirms this statement. Even the Templar, w r ho had risen 
above nationality and positive religion, cherishes such prejudice 
against the Jews that at first he will have nothing to do with 
Recha and Nathan: " A Jew's a Jew, and I am rude and 
bearish." The power of reason and love is all the more mag- 
nificent when it triumphs over such prejudices ; here is the pro- 
found reason why Nathan, who so far surpassed all other char- 
acters in goodness and wisdom, is made the principal character 
of the drama. We must not look for his prototype either in the 
spirit of the time, which indeed in its tendency to Enlighten- 
ment was favorable to the Jews, nor in the personal friendship of 
Lessing with Moses Mendelssohn, who himself says of A T athan : 
11 After the appearance of Nathan the cabal whispered into the 
ear of every friend and acquaintance that Lessing had abused 
Christianity, though he has only ventured to reproach some 
Christians and at most Christianity. In very truth, however, 
his Nathan, as we must confess, redounds to the honor of 
Christianity. Upon what high plane of enlightenment and 
civilization must a people be in which a man can rise to this 
height of sentiment, can educate himself to this excellent knowl- 
edge of divine and human things. At least posterity must 
think so, it seems to me ; but Lessing s contemporaries did not 
think so." It is safe to assume that the Nathan represents 
Lessing's third stage in the Education of the Human Race, the 
period of " Peace on earth and good will to men," the reign of 



XX INTRODUCTION. 

universal peace where men shall do right because it is right and 
govern themselves without law or rulers, as each one will prefer 
another's interest to his own. 

IV. THE THREE RINGS. 

The setting of Lessing's conception of a perfect religion is the 
tale of the three rings, to which we now turn our attention. In 
the times of the crusades the belief obtained to a considerable 
extent that Christians, Jews and heathen all serve one God ; or, 
as some stated it, God possesses three kinds of children in 
Christians, Jews and heathen. The decision of rank for the 
children of the house rests only with the father. The order of 
Knights Templars favored these liberal views, and even the fore- 
most thinkers among the Jews believed that Judaism and Chris- 
tianity were two true religions coming from God and that neither 
was tainted with deceit. One of their wise rabbis (it must have 
originated in the eastern country which is so full of metaphorical 
language) clothed this thought in a parable, afterwards known 
as the parable of the rings. About the year noo a Spanish 
Jew put it in its earliest and simplest Jewish form. Don Pedro 
of Arragon once asked a rich Jew, who had the reputation of 
great wisdom, which of the two laws (Mosaic or Christian) he 
considered the better, in order to have an excuse for appropriat- 
ing his money, no matter what answer he might give to the 
question. The Jew took three days' time for thought, at the 
end of which he came back to the king in apparent confusion 
and related the following incident : A month ago his neighbor, 
a jeweler, on the point of making a long journey, had comforted 
his two sons by giving each a precious stone. This morning 
they had asked him, the Jew, about the worth of the two 
treasures, and, on his explanation that they must wait for the 
return of the father who alone was competent to decide the 
question, they had abused him and beaten him. Pedro said 
that this mean conduct of the sons deserved punishment. 



INTRODUCTION. XXI 

"Let thy ear hear what thy mouth speaks," replied he Jew. 
"The brothers Esau and Jacob have each a precious stone, and, 
if you wish to know who has the better, send a messenger to the 
great Jeweler above who alone knows the difference." Pedro, 
satisfied with the answer, sent the Jew away in peace. 

Between this simplest parable of the precious stones and the 
richest in every way (Lessing's version in Nathan} many mem- 
bers and variations appear, full of pride of faith and spiritual 
freedom, of exclusive confidence and unsparing skepticism, of 
universal love of man and narrow hate. The moral lesson con- 
tained in all these different versions is the teaching of brotherly 
love, humanity, and mutual tolerance, — which forms the essence 
and basis of the Christian religion. And this is the same lesson 
which Lessing had been trying to teach in his controversy with 
Goeze, in the Education of the Human Race, and the other 
writings of that period, so that Nathan only embodies in poetic 
form what he had already said elsewhere. In Spain, probably, 
a third religion was added, the Moorish. The indecision 
remains, but the early Christian transformation clouded the 
clearness of the Spanish-Jewish anecdote. According to 
Wunsche {Origin of the Parable of the Three Rings} the next 
earliest account is found in the Cento Novelle AnticJie, a well- 
known collection of Italian stories. In number 72 is the parable 
of the rings which is nearly like the Arragonian. but we have 
here a Sultan and three rings, one genuine and two false, the 
father alone knowing the true one. From here the story passed 
into the Gesta Romanonun, where in one of its three versions we 
have one additional trait which Lessing has made use of. Here 
the true ring has the power of making its wearer beloved by God 
and man. Whether Busone da Gabbio (131 1) in his novel 
Avventnroso Siciliano took his version of the parable from the 
Cento Novelle or elsewhere is still doubtful, but it is certain that 
Boccaccio drew from him. Busone made but few changes : 
only one ring is genuine, but it is not left to the father to decide 



XX11 INTRODUCTION. 

which religion is the true one ; that still remains undecided. 
With Boccaccio it is no longer an indefinite sultan, but the war- 
like and heroic Saladin who in his need of money calls the rich 
and usurious Jew Melchisedec from Alexandria to Jerusalem in 
order to force a loan from him by means of the vexatious ques- 
tion which of the three religions he considers the true one. The 
Jew is soon resolved and recounts to Saladin as if by sudden 
inspiration the story of the three rings. This is essentially the 
same as that given in Nathan, Act 3, sc. 7, to which we refer 
the reader. The story of Boccaccio varies very little from the 
other Italian accounts. He does not tell us, as the others did, 
for what purpose the Sultan needed money. Busone also gives 
the reason why the Sultan seeks to rob the Jew. Jews are 
hated, therefore they can conscientiously be robbed of their 
money. For the tolerant Boccaccio this was wrong, so he 
changes his Jew into a rich, avaricious usurer instead of leaving 
him a noble and wise person. 

Lessing has made several changes. Besides the fact that the 
ring has been received from ' ' dear hands " it has the power of 
making its wearer, who should have confidence in its virtue, 
well-pleasing before God and man. In order to prevent the son 
who should possess the ring from alone becoming the head and 
prince of the house, the father had two others made so like 
the original that he could not distinguish the true from the false. 
Rejoicing that he could now show each of his sons the same 
marks of love he calls each one to him separately and gives 
each of them a blessing and the ring. After the father's death 
there arose the same controversy about the genuine ring as 
in the other versions, and the judge before whom all appeared 
could give no verdict. Boccaccio closes with the remark : 
" Each of the three nations believes its religion to be the 
real, divine revelation ; but which has the true one can no more 
be decided than which is the true ring." Lessing does not stop 
there. After the judge has dismissed the three wrangling sons 



INTRODUCTION. XX111 

from his tribunal on account of lack of proof to form any 
decision, it occurs to him that there is a key to this seeming 
riddle. The true ring possesses a magic virtue which cannot 
fail to manifest itself in the one who has it and wears it in this 
confidence. As none of the three possesses the power to make 
himself beloved by the others, so none has the true ring ; 
this must be lost and those they have are false ; the father would 
not bear the tyranny of one ring any longer in his house ; each 
may now think he has the true one, and let each strive to show 
the virtue of his ring. 

The magic virtue is the moral effect of religion. When 
the judge asks the sons to help the virtue of the ring by meek- 
ness, by hearty docility, by well-doing, by inner resignation 
to the will of God, he shows that these virtues are the moral 
effects of religion meant by the magic virtue of the ring. In 
them, and not in the outer, historical symbols and rites, lies the 
infallible proof of the truth of religion. That religion is the true 
one which produces the best men. Whether Islamism, Judaism, 
or Christianity is best adapted to effect this result Lessing does 
not say, but only implies that it is not impossible in all three. 
We cannot, however, deny that the way in which the principal 
character of the drama throws doubt on every positive religion 
which lays claim to objective truth has something dazzling for 
the great mass of mankind. It would almost appear as if the 
story in its comprehensive, graceful form, was well suited to 
spread that Enlightenment which desires to resolve religion into 
complete agnosticism. The story is highly poetical, however, 
and does not completely conform to the real thought. Whether 
only two of the possessors of the rings, or, as the judge seems 
to think, all three have been deceived, cannot be decided under 
the circumstances. But this is only a story intended to inculcate 
a truth, and must be judged as the parables of the Lord. As 
parables they may be excellent, even for the special purpose used ; 
but if taken as truths they may be complete or incomplete, true 



XXIV INTRODUCTION. 

or false in themselves, though quite proper to exemplify the 
truth which the one employing them wished to teach. It can- 
not be expected that Nathan, who, according to his own con- 
fession, does not wish to give the truth as such, but rather by 
means of the story which he tells the sultan, thinks himself dis- 
pensed from the solution of the problem, will really state the 
principle which distinguishes the truth of the three religions and 
and their relation to one another. When Saladin objects that 
the religions named by him can be distinguished from one 
another, Nathan replies that they are all based on tradition and 
history, and adds that it is quite natural that we all, Muham- 
medans, Jews, Christians, should doubt least of all the words of 
those whose blood flows in our veins, of those who have given 
us proof of their love from our childhood. 

This mode of reasoning is truly such that the conscience, 
which does not enter into the inner reasons upon which real 
knowledge rests, is satisfied. But it does not enter into the 
greater, profounder depths of the question where knowledge alone 
can guide. It is true that all religions with any real life to them 
have an historical background and that children accept the reli- 
gion of their fathers as something from those who are nearest and 
dearest to them. But this is only belief founded on authority 
and is to be distinguished from the real religious belief founded 
on more perfect knowledge and the inner witness of the Spirit. 
This is why Lessing insists on the fact that the truth of religion 
is to be recognized in itself, in its inner characteristics, thus ris- 
ing to an ideal sphere to which Nathan does not attain. While 
denying that for him who would gain the knowledge, the charac- 
teristics of the truth are already present in the three religions, 
Nathan gives voice to the sentiment that it is the moral life, love, 
through which the truth of our inherited religion manifests itself. 
The manner in which the owners of the three rings quarrel with 
one another tends to show us that that miraculous force inherent 
in the true religion is active in none of the three religions whose 



INTRODUCTION. XXV 

symbols are the rings. Hence they are urged to emulate this 
love, so that, perhaps, later the truth might be revealed to their 
descendants. This love we know is the touchstone of real 
religion. 

Having announced the doctrine of love in the story, the poet 
shows the moral force springing from pure love in his denoue- 
ment. Characters separated by nationality, but obeying the 
purely human feelings, appear before us at the close of the drama 
in a real union. The powerful sultan Saladin, Nathan, the rich 
Jew living in Jerusalem, a German Templar, prisoner of the 
Saracens, Sittah, Daja, Recha, are drawn to one another by 
similar sentiments, and the ties of blood and the benevolence 
of the Jew seal the bond. As in nature night yields to the rising 
sun, so here delusion and hate disappear from the consciences of 
men as soon as love appears. Oriental and Occidental, Muham- 
medan, Jew, Christian, rise above particular interests, feel drawn 
to one another as man to man, even love one another as mem- 
bers of one family. This is the same high standard that we saw 
in the Education of the Human Race. The conclusion of 
"Nathan" moreover, is intended to let us see, imperfectly to 
be sure, the realization of that ideal claimed only for the future. 
These characters have advanced far enough to accept the new 
eternal gospel. But this makes them true Christians, in whose 
religion alone all the conditions for such a development are 

found. 

r 

V. SOURCES OF THE PLAY. 

Besides the novel in the Decamerone of Boccaccio already 
mentioned, two others have an important bearing on the plot of 
our drama. The family history, some features in Nathan him- 
self, and, in a certain measure, the character of the Templar are 
undoubtedly due to Lessing's study of this Italian author. The 
story related in Giorn. V, V, throws light on the family relations 
of our characters. It is an account of a lost child like Recha 



XXVI INTRODUCTION. 

who is reared by a kind-hearted old gentleman, Giacomino, as 
his own daughter. Here, however, two young men fall in love 
with her, one of whom turns out to be her brother and the other 
marries her. All the features of the Templar and Recha are 
present. The two servants are combined in Daja ; and Berna- 
buccio, the father of the lost girl, is Wolf von Filneck, the father 
of the Templar and Recha. The lovely characteristic of Boccac- 
cio^ Giacomino, "who in his time had experienced much, who 
was a good-natured man, 1 ' has passed over to Nathan, while the 
violent impetuosity of Giannole, the brother, is reflected in the 
Templar. 

Lessing is still further indebted to Boccaccio, Giorn. X, Nov. 
III. Here we have a man named Nathan who is exceedingly 
wealthy, benevolent, hospitable, of noble sentiments, giving 
thirty-two times to the same beggar woman without letting her 
see that she is recognized by him, going about in modest attire, 
calm and composed when a rival in wealth and goodness comes 
and tells him that he is going to kill him because he outdoes 
him in goodness and benevolence, prudent, noble minded and 
selfdenying in every way. Had he talked and been a Jew he 
would have been Lessing's Nathan. How much the Nathan in 
the Novel reminds of the Nathan in the Drama and yet how 
skilfully Lessing has transformed and remodelled his characters 
to suit his own idea to be represented in his drama ! For the 
trend, the idea of the drama is profounder, more consistent, 
more according to the dictates of reason, than any Boccaccio ever 
even imagined. 

Critics say that Boccaccio was not the only source of Lessing^s 
drama. That absurd story that Dean Swift and Esther Johnson, 
or Stella, were both the natural children of Sir William Temple, 
the English diplomatist and political writer, is cited as a source. 
Moreover Swift wrote the Tale of a Tub, a parabolical comparison 
of the three confessions, Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Calvin- 
ism, showing that all three had departed so far from the true 



INTRODUCTION. XXV11 

spirit of Christianity that there was no more life in any of them. 
The parable of the Three Rings is certainly more elevated than 
that of the Tale of the Tub, though there is a certain resemblance 
in the subject-matter and trend of the latter to the drama. Les- 
sing was well acquainted with this story and also with Swift's 
work. But Caro (p. 74 ff) probably goes too far when he says 
that Lessing here found that inner association of ideas so neces- 
sary for the unity of his drama. For there is no more inner con- 
nection between the Tale of a Tub and Swift's supposed love to 
a sister (then considered true, but now known to be false) than 
there is between the three novels of Boccaccio (I, III ; Giorn. 
X, III; Giorn. V, V). For inner connection is not a per- 
sonal element, but a natural cause and effect. The complete 
idea contained in Nathan had long been lying in the poet's mind ; 
its external form was a mere secondary thought which Boccaccio's 
novels were as likely, and even more so, to put into definite 
shape as Swift's story and work. 

Caro's conceit that the name of Swift's supposed father, 
Temple, led Lessing to call the sister's brother a Templar is a 
clever one, but has no force. For the historical background 
naturally brought the Templars into action, and it was only to be 
expected that they would play a prominent part in the drama. 
It may be possible that the Swift incident had an unconscious 
influence upon Lessing. For when Voltaire returned from Eng- 
land he brought the Tale of a Tub with him, asserting that this 
notorious Tale of a Tub was ten imitation of the three undis- 
tinguishable rings which the father left to his three children ; and 
we know that Lessing eagerly read and admired Voltaire before 
their rupture. But no one now contends that it was the veritable 
source ; for Boccaccio stood nearer in thought to the poet's idea 
than the Swift source. 



XXV111 INTRODUCTION. 



VI. TIME AND PLACE OF ACTION. 

Had Lessing wished to employ dramatic poetry to represent 
certain general phenomena of the psychological life he could have 
chosen no better period or locality for his purpose than Palestine 
during the third crusade. The East and the West met here, and 
Palestine formed the center of all the historical life of the age. 
Richard the Lion-hearted of England, Philip Augustus of France, 
Leopold of Austria, the most powerful rulers of the West ac- 
companied by the greatest and noblest vassals of their kingdoms, 
the king of Jerusalem with his barons, the bloom of knighthood 
in the priestly orders of the Templars and Knights of Malta, and 
a high clergy ; Saladin, the victorious warrior of the East, who 
ruled from the Nile to the Euphrates and Tigris with his Emirs 
and Pashas were present. Intermingled with these were the 
clever merchants from the great commercial cities of the Medi- 
terranean ; Jews, experienced and educated by their journeyings 
in all lands, so that, as Lessing says (3, 10), "all the world 
flocks together here." This congregation of all mankind in both 
a friendly and hostile manner, must necessarily have exerted a pe- 
culiar influence upon the general culture, must have produced a 
peculiar sentiment and intellectual development, must have made 
a peculiar impression upon the views taken of the whole world and 
. of life by the more enlightened individuals, especially upon the re- 
ligious views, as well of the Jews as of the Christian and Mussul- 
mans. Boccaccio had placed his Jew in Alexandria and had 
him called to Saladin. For his place of action Lessing chose 
Jerusalem at a time when Saladin had captured the holy city 
from the crusaders. Here that people, which called itself the 
chosen people of God, had assembled for worship. Christ, by his 
glorious death on the cross, had made the city sacred and had 
promulgated a universal religion. But during the Middle Ages 
Jerusalem became the seat of the fanatical rage of both Chris- 
tians and Muhammedans, who there committed execrable deeds 



INTRODUCTION. XXIX 

of violence and blood. The spirit of humanity displayed by 
noble men formed a striking contrast with most frightful intoler- 
ance, and thus set off the truths announced by our drama ; this 
very contrast makes the ideal part of our poem more real and 
the real part more ideal. Lessing wished to exhibit the evils of 
religious fanaticism, and the reign of Saladin was best suited for 
that. Time and place were admirably adapted to bring the 
representation of the three religions into close connection. For 
at this time the spirit of adventure reigned supreme and rumors 
of strange incidents and curious events filled the air. 

From the historical allusions in the play the exact time, as 
near as that can be determined, was probably between the first of 
September, 1192, and the fifth of March, 1193, that is, after the 
conclusion of the truce with Richard the Lion-hearted, and be- 
fore the death of Saladin. Though Lessing paid no great atten- 
tion to strict chronological order, he certainly paints a vivid 
historical picture, and the local coloring is produced in a truly 
masterly manner. 

VII. ANALYSIS OF CHARACTERS. 

As Nathan the Wise represents the conflict of tolerance with 
prejudice, we can on this principle divide the characters into 
certain groups. Nathan, Saladin and the Templar represent 
the cosmopolitan and humanitarian idea, while the Patriarch, 
and, in a certain degree, Daja also, stands for narrow-minded- 
ness and intolerance. The friar and Al-Hafi have a leaning to 
nature-life, and are representatives of noble Naturalism. Nathan 
himself properly leads the first group. Lessing is said to have 
glorified in him his life-long friend, Moses Mendelssohn, but 
there is not a single trait in Nathan bearing any resemblance 
whatever to Moses Mendelssohn. Most of the features are taken 
from Melchisedec and that Nathan of Boccaccio already men- 
tioned, though they have been idealized. Nathan possesses 
endurance, wisdom, calmness, and affability, and is above all nar- 



XXX INTRODUCTION. 

rowness of nationality and religious difference. As merchant he 
has visited many lands, and gathered experience as well as gold. 
He is generous and benevolent towards all. The true religion for 
him is the one which teaches love to God and man. He is in every 
way the opposite to Shakespeare's Shylock, and is, in fact, the 
possessor of the true ring, in that he understands how to make 
himself well-pleasing to God and man. And yet we have some- 
thing of the Jew in Nathan ; the cunning observable in all his 
dealings with his fellowmen, his deference to others in order to 
attain his ends (which, indeed, are always the purest and noblest) , 
a fondness for metaphor and parable, these are all Oriental- 
Jewish traits. He is the ideal hero who has undergone struggles 
that excite our interest, and we cannot help loving and honoring 
him . 

The historic Saladin was a strict Mussulman who looked up- 
on war against the Crusaders as his life-mission. For these, his 
natural foes, he cherished an implacable hatred. He was ever 
true to his word, ever kept faith with the Christians, though they 
betrayed him again and again. Brave and intrepid by nature, 
he was yet a peace-loving man, who rose above his environ- 
ment and showed himself magnanimous alike to friend and foe. 
His self-abnegation was great, for at the height of pow r er he felt 
no desire for mere show and magnificence, but was plain and 
simple in his daily life. Boccaccio had already made him a tra- 
ditional hero, and the Middle Ages crowned him with a halo of 
glory. But little was left for Lessing to do. He has idealized 
in him imperial greatness, noble sentiments, magnanimity and 
liberality. 

Sittah, the sister of Saladin, is not so tolerant as he, and per- 
haps for that very reason sees Christians and Jews in a truer 
light, though not unmixed with prejudice. She takes an im- 
portant part in the action of the drama, especially in the in- 
trigues. Prudence and cunning are her virtues, and we miss in 
her the individual truth of a real poetic character. Like her 
brother she is historical, though history barely mentions her. 



INTRODUCTION. XXXI 

By birth and name only does the Templar appear as a Chris- 
tian. The child of Saladin's brother Assad and a Stauffen lady ; 
brought up by his uncle, a Templar; aroused to action by the 
latter's tales and the information that his father was an Oriental 
who had returned home with his mother, he enlists in the Cru- 
sades in the order of the Templars, though little convinced 
of the truth of Christianity. The contradictions in his character 
are so striking that it will require much reflection to bring the 
special features into harmony. The predominant trait is the vein 
of deep melancholy which gives a serious earnestness to his 
every act. The disharmony in his character and his discontent 
spring partly from his early training and partly from his recent 
experiences among the Templars, as Christian and as prisoner in 
the hands of Saladin. He represents the transition state on his 
passage from a belief in a positive religion, through disbelief, to 
Lessing's third stage, to Nathan's standard. He has found that 
no one belief is infallible, but has not yet discovered that there 
is always wheat in the chaff, none so bad as to be utterly con- 
demned. At the very end of the drama he still appears dis- 
trustful and has to pass through a struggle to renounce his 
passionate love and accept Recha as a sister. Even then the 
disharmony fermenting in his inner and outer life is but slowly 
removed. His striking physical resemblance to Assad, his 
father, is deepened by his striking resemblance in all the quali- 
ties of his character. Nathan represents wise old age, Saladin 
matured manhood, Curd (the Templar) immature youth, which, 
like fresh must must ferment and foam and by long fermentation 
become purified. 

The most fragrant flower of German literature is Recha. In 
her simple, cheerful nature all the virtues of a maiden's pure 
heart blossom. How tenderly she loves her father, what thank- 
ful love she bears for Daja ! Many features of Recha are taken 
from Malchen Konig, Lessing's stepdaughter, who had a deep 
love for her stepfather, and who was educated by him as carefully 



XXX11 INTRODUCTION. 

as Recha by Nathan. The latter is what Nathan made of her, 
a susceptible and pure soul which a wise and just education has 
taught self-abnegation and love. She lived in her father; he 
was her world, her faith, her home. She is tender without be- 
ing weakly sentimental, intellectual and cultivated without being 
a bluestocking. Nathan, however, is not her only instructor. 
Daja, the Christian widow, the nurse, planted many seeds in her 
receptive mind, and they also brought forth fruit of another kind. 
On the one hand we find philosophy and reason, on the other 
wild fancy and belief in angels, legends, the fanciful side of life. 
She belongs to the poetic figures of German literature, whose 
presence can be felt rather than described. Like Goethe's 
Mignon in Wilhelm Meister and Schiller's Thekla in Wallenstein, 
she is a concrete though idealized form of flesh and blood. 
But nevertheless she is as it were surrounded by a glamour, and 
seems to us a friendly fairy form which enchants us all the more. 
Rarely do we catch glimpses of such beings in the world's litera- 
ture, and yet Germany has given us three, Recha, Mignon, 
Thekla. As sister of the Templar and niece of Saladin, adopted 
and brought up by Nathan, she forms a convenient center about 
which all the separate interests of race and religion converge, 
being of all three, and yet belonging exclusively to neither of 
the three races or religions. 

Of our second group the Patriarch naturally stands at the 
head and is an excellent pattern of priestly thirst for power ; he 
has also departed farthest from the doctrines which Christ came 
on earth to preach, not having the least trace of that meekness 
and gentleness which forms an essential element of a Christian 
character. He enjoys life in the fullest, but believes in the 
dogmatic infallibility of the Church. It has been said that 
Pastor Goeze, Lessing's bitter opponent in his controversy 
occasioned by the publication of the Fragments, is intended to 
be represented by the Patriarch, but nothing could be farther 
from the mark. There mav be a few thrusts at Goeze, but the 



INTRODUCTION. XXX111 

character as a whole is far different, too opposite to be modelled 
after him. It is the portrait of what a true Christian should not 
be. Instead of self-abnegation we have self-aggrandizement 
with all its worldly lusts. No feeling of humanity reigns in his 
breast. While demanding blind submission from others he 
seeks to draw profit from everything. Faith is for him a sub- 
servient means of power, a pliant tool for satisfying his ambition 
to rule. Though by nature intolerant and fanatical he is him- 
self only a too willing subject, yielding servilely to every danger- 
ous power, even when it is repugnant to him ; creeping where 
he thinks it will advance his interests. 

The character is historical. At the time when Saladin cap- 
tured Jerusalem the reigning Patriarch was Heraclius, though he 
left the city instead of remaining as represented in our drama. 
This Heraclius was a notorious character and very much worse 
than Lessing has painted him in the drama. He thinks of every- 
thing else rather than of the welfare of the souls entrusted to 
him. He was a politician of the worst stamp. Treason and 
murder are not only legitimate means with him, but become a 
duty when the priest says that it is for the honor of God. It 
was no matter to him how kind the Jew may have been to his 
adopted daughter Recha ; if he had taught her no dogma nor 
positive religion, then he must burn at the stake. Rather a 
false belief than no belief. He will show how dangerous it is to 
the state when anyone may have no^ belief. So preached Goeze 
in the controversy. He is a priest and ecclesiastical prince, but 
not a Christian. He represents rather the office of High Priest, 
or Egyptian Hierophant, or the priests of the Middle Ages, who 
were mostly opponents of humanity and pure religion. He is 
bigoted, and the interests of humanity are subordinate to those 
of his Church and hierarchy. Without this character Lessing 
could not have done justice to the fundamental idea of his poem. 
Fr. Theo. Vischer (Aesth. Ill, 1,433) says: "The Patriarch 
should have gone to extremes, the Templar should have ap- 



XXXIV INTRODUCTION. 

peared at the most exciting moment of the danger to rescue 
Nathan and thus have completed his own elevation above the 
darkness of prejudice ; then the drama might have ended well, 
only not in the discovery that the lovers were brother and sister." 
But this would have been contrary to the whole tone of the 
drama, which is intended to show true tolerance triumphing over 
intolerance and arrogance by quiet, peaceful means. 

In Daja we have an example of sand a simplicitas, that narrow 
piety which becomes dangerous in cunning hands. Firm in her 
belief, she overlooks the genuine kernel of religion in the form 
which excites her imagination and produces the frenzy of fanati- 
cism. She is the widow of a noble Swiss squire, drowned with 
the emperor Frederick Barbarossa on the ioth of June, 1190. 
Nathan took her as companion to Recha, probably because the 
old nurse had sickened. Soon after Daja's arrival the latter 
died, but not before she had disclosed the secret of Recha's 
birth, though it is a mystery where the nurse could have found it 
out. According to this account Daja could not have been more 
than two years in the house of Nathan when our drama opens ; 
and yet the references to her indicate a longer service in Nathan's 
family. There is no way of reconciling these discrepancies with- 
out assuming that Lessing intended to discard the old nurse and 
make Daja's service with him extend over the whole eighteen 
years of Recha's life, or else he forgot to distinguish between 
the two persons, and applied words to Daja which belong to the 
nurse. 

Anxious for the welfare of her fosterchild's soul, she is con- 
stantly urging Nathan to make good his great sin of keeping his 
daughter from the true faith. She does not consider what a 
noble woman Recha has become under the instruction of 
Nathan ; she only sees a Christian child in the hands of a Jew. 
Nathan had been led to his high standard of faith by the loss of 
his family, had blessed the chance which had brought him Recha 
as a charge, and now the intrigues of the well-intentioned Daja 



INTRODUCTION. XXXV 

were to put to the truest test what reason and long contempla- 
tion had ripened in his mind and made a part of his being. 
One object of the drama is to show us principles in action ; and 
thus Daja in a sense becomes the motive principle in it, as she, 
by intrigue, by confusiug the Templar, and arousing his dor- 
mant distrust and setting in action his impetuous nature, 
applies the power that moves the whole action. She plays also 
the effective part of an exquisitely comical duena, and " could 
ill be spared in the economy of the drama." 

In the naturalistic group we have two characters which show 
different phases of that simple, natural worship of God. The 
friar came to the East as squire, but after serving many masters 
he finally left the tumult of war for the cloister, devoting him 
self entirely to the worship of God, to which his pious nature in- 
clined him. Robbed and taken prisoner by Arabian marauders, 
he managed to escape and fled to Jerusalem into the cloister of 
the Patriarch, who promised him the first free hermit's cell on Mt. 
Tabor. Everything unworthy or wrong was repugnant to his 
upright soul. Though ever obedient to his oath, he realizes that 
there are bounds to his obedience, and he keeps back the knowl- 
edge that Nathan has a Christian child. What he really lacks is 
the knowledge of the world. Like the Dervish, his leaning is to 
the religion of Nature, which drives him out of the world ; but the 
Dervish easily gives himself up to pure contemplation ; with the 
latter it is pure, simple, joyous renunciation in which the soul 
feels the full force of its freedom from worldly care, while with 
the former it is chiefly humility and the feeling that he is too 
weak to cope with the complex difficulties of the world. Instead 
of self-abnegation we find self-disparagement, though he is by no 
means stupid, and knows how to carry out the dishonest com- 
mands so honestly that they never do any harm. He sees a 
brother in everybody and represents the Publican in Christ's 
parable, while the Patriarch represents the Pharisee ; in the 
parable of the Good Samaritan he represents the good Samaritan, 



XXXVI INTRODUCTION. 

and the Patriarch, the priest and levite. He is one of the poor 
in spirit to whom the kingdom of heaven belongs. By some he 
is called the true representative of Christianity in the drama, and 
probably comes nearer the standard than any of the other repre- 
sentatives. He certainly has childlike simplicity, and all the 
qualities which go to make up a true Christian character. It, is 
one of the most lovely personages Lessing has sketched for us ; 
and yet the childlike simplicity, the childlike cunning, forms a 
comical contrast to the priestly, Jesuitical Patriarch. 

The Dervish is so little an adherent of the doctrine of 
Muhammed that he has been a follower of Parsees. He appears to 
us as the son of pure, unmixed nature, which, as it is manifested 
in this character, forms a remarkable contrast to those artifi- 
cial relations on which the social system actually rests. In the 
awkward cynic Al-Hafi, Lessing's friends recognized the free copy 
of a Berlin eccentricity, Abram Wulff, the secretary of Aaron 
Meyer. He was considered the greatest mathematical genius of 
the day, who, however, had no idea of the world and its relations. 
He was also an excellent chess-player, and this characteristic has 
been skillfully brought out in the drama. Lessing had great 
respect for him on account of his piety and natural cynicism. 
The temptation was too great ; he was introduced into the drama 
in the person of the Dervish as the unfortunate treasurer and 
chess-critic, where he cuts a most wonderful figure. He has free 
entrance to his friend Nathan's house and preaches undisturbed 
his principles of cynic philosophy in grotesque words. 

VIII. FORM, VERSIFICATION, STYLE AND ESTI- 
MATION OF THE POEM. 
Considered from an aesthetical point of view and from the 
philosophical purpose pervading the whole poem, it has by some 
been denied the name of drama in the usual acceptance of the 
word. But there was no lack of material as inducement to a real 
drama, and this fact undoubtedly aided the poet greatly in giving 



INTRODUCTION. XXXV11 

true, independent life to the action. The general historical 
situation furnished an excellent foundation upon which Lessing 
could build with his own inventions. A. W. Schlegel, in his 
Lectures on Art and Literature, remarks : " It is strange that of 
all Lessing's dramatic works, the last, Nathan the Wise, conforms 
best to the rules of art." " The form is freer, more comprehen- 
sive than in the other pieces of Lessing ; it is almost like a 
Shakesperian drama.' 1 Usually the philosophical features of the 
Nathan receive so much attention that the high artistic qualities 
of the work are neglected. The action is slower because the 
development of the truths Lessing wished to inculcate demanded 
a more quiet movement, but it bears the indelible stamp of classic 
beauty, whether we call it a drama or didactic poem. 

The Nathan is the first complete drama that Lessing wrote in 
verse, not in the usual Alexandrine verse, but in the English 
iambic pentameter, in imitation of Shakespeare and Milton, 
which, since the Nathan, has become the usual form in real 
drama. The length of the verse varies from eight to thirteen 
syllables and, though the pentameters are far more numerous than 
other measures, still Lessing did not trouble himself much 
about the matter. The liberties he had taken with the meter 
deprive the drama of a symmetrical beauty of form, so that the 
verse often appears harsh and unmusical. 

His style is simple, natural, and original. Each character 
uses the language peculiarly suited, to it, and this changes to suit 
the scene. Not unfrequently Lessing went into the street and 
picked up the most expressive phrases, and legalized their use by 
adopting them. Lessing portrays the very spirit of the Orient, and 
the first Oriental scholars could not do better ; the parabolical 
teachings remind us of the East. 

Perhaps no German poem, except Faust, has received so much 
special study as the Nathan, and none has certainly rewarded it 
so well. It has, therefore, held a prominent place in German lit- 
erature, and will always claim a large share of interest for itself. 



XXXV111 INTRODUCTION. 

J. A. Froude acknowledges Lessing's Nathan to be the finest 
didactic work produced in modern times, but adds " that it will 
pass away with the mode of thought which gave it birth." And 
yet the world is over a hundred years older and seems as far from 
the ideal set up in the Nathan as when Lessing wrote his piece, 
though there has evidently been an advance in many ways. It 
is true that this drama has here served the poet in making a 
special plea, but all who love art for art's sake must perceive 
that the feat is achieved with true power, even if we are forced to 
admit that Lessing's conceptions are rather those of the 
understanding than of the imagination ai:d passion. The drama, 
however has those qualities which will stand the buffets and 
shocks of time. 



Batyan tier Wnfc 

©in bramatifdjeS ©ebid)t in fiinf Slufgugett 



Introite, nam et heic Dii sunt. 

Apitd Gel Hum. 



[1779] 



P e r \ o n c n. 



©ultan @ a la bin. 

©ittal), beffen ©djtoefier. 

Sftatfjan, ein reiser 3nfcie in Semfatem. 

Sftedja, beffen angenommene £od)ter. 

2) a j a , eine (£I)riftin, aber tnt §anfe be§ 3>nben, al$ ©efellfdjafterin 

ber $lei§a. 
(Sin jnnger ^empelljerr, 
(Sin 2)ertt>ifdj* 

£>er ^atriarcf) Don Serufatem. 
(Sin $lofterbrnber. 
(Sin (Stnir nebft tterfdjtebenen 9ftanteludfen be8 @alabin. 

2)ie ©cene ift in 3ernfalenu 



(Erfin- 3ftufjujj. 



(Erfter Jtuftrttt 

Scene : f^tur in *ftatfjcm§ <§aufe. 
Nathan t)on bcr Sfteife fommertb. 2)aja iljm entgegen. 

@r ift e§ ! SRat^an ! — ©ott fei efoig Scmf, 
£)a£ 3fy r bocfy enblid) einmal toteberfommt. 

3ci/ ®ajci, ©ott fei 2)anl ! £)od) toarum enblicfy? 
§ab' id; bcnn efyer toteberfommen toollen? 
5 Unb toteberfommen fonnen? SBab^Ion 
3ft fcon 3 eru M em / ^ e t$ ^n 28*9/ 

©eitab balb red&tS, balb ItnfS, ju nefymen bin . i 

©enottgt toorben, gut jtoetfmnbert 3Jteilen; *.(7*<> &*"' " 
Unb ©cfmlben einfaffteren ift getoift 
io 2lud; fein ©efcbaft7 ba3 m|rflidf) fobert, ba3 
©o bon ber §anb fid) fcfylagen lafct. 

D SRatyan, 
i 9Bie elenb, elenb battet 3fy* inbe£ 
§ier toerben fonnen! @uev §au§ . . . 

3)a3 brannte. 
©o §aV icfy fd}on bernommen. — ©ebe ©ott, 
15 2)af$ tcfy nur atte3 fcbon bernommen fyabe ! 

3 



4 Hatfyanber IDeife. 

Unb toare leidfjt Don ©runb au£ abgebrannt. 

iSann, ©aja, fatten fair ein neueS un§ 
©ebaut, unb ein bequemereS. 

©djon toafyr ! — 

®od) 51 e d) a toar' bet einem §aare mit 

20 93erbrannt. 

9*atf)att. 

SBcrbrannt? 2Ber? metne 3ied)a? fte? — 

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25 §erau3 nur ! — Stole mt$ : unb martre mi$ 

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SBenn fie 
@S tt>are, toiirbet 3# r k° n mir e ^ ^oren? 

SBavum erfcfyrecfeft bu midfj benn ? — D 9te$a ! 
D meine Sftecfya! 

Sure? Sure 9ied>a? 

30 2Senn icfy midj) U)ieber je enttoofynen mufete, 
£)ie§ $inb mein $inb ju nennen ! 

9tennt 3^r atte£, 
2Sa3 gfyr befifct, mit eben foDtel 9tec£)te 
2)a$ gure? 



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3)anf idE) ber Satgenb. 

£aja. 

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S^r Sure ©iite, ^atban, tnitf) bejafylen ! 
2Benn ©fit', in folder Slbficfyt auSgeiibt, 
5Ro^ ©iite Ijeiften faun ! 

$n folder 2tbfidjt? 
40 3 n t^elc^er? 

£aja. 

Sftein ©etotffen . . . 



9?atl)atu 

3Sor alien £)ingen bir erjaljlen 



35aja, Ia§ 



3Rein 



©etotffen, fag* ic§ . . . 

Watson. 

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giir etnen fd^onen ©toff id) bir gefauft. 
45 ©0 reicfy, unb mit (SJefcfymqcI fo reid) ! 3$ bringe 
gitr 3ie$a felbft laum einen fc^onern mit. 

2Ba3 gift's? S)enn mein ©etoiffen, muf$ id& @ud? 
•Jlur fagen, lafct fidj langer nicfyt betciuben . 



6 Hatfyanber tt)etfe. 

Watl)an. 

Unb lute bie ©pangen, tt>ie bie Dfyrgefyenfe, 
SBie 9ftng unb ^htt bir gefaften loerben, 
50 S)ie in 35ama3fu3 ttf) bir au^gefudjt: 
Serlanget micfy ju fefyn. 

©0 feib 3$r nun! 
SBenn 3$ r nur fcbenfen fount! nur fcfyenfen fount 1 

9Zaifjam 
9ttmm bu fo gem, al8 i$ bir geb' : — unb fcfytoetg ! 

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2Ba3 i$ fagen toitt, 
$a£ hrifct 3^r beffer. 

Watf)am 

■ftun fo fd)toeig! 

%d) f$ft>eige. 
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60 Unb tcfy ntdt)t fyinbern fann, nid)t anbern fann, — 
9li$t fann, — fomm' iiber @u$ ! 

9latf)an. 

Somm' iiber mtd)! — 

2Bo aberifi fie benn? too bleibt fie? — SDaja, 



I. 2tuf3ug. u 2Iuftrttt. 7 

28enn bu mid) Ijnntergefyft ! — 28et§ fie es benn, 
3)afs td; gelommen bin? 

2>a§ frag' id) @u$ ! 
65 9lo$ jtttert ibv bet ©cfyred burd^ jebe 9Zerbe. 
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^m 2Sad)en fd)laft ibr ©eift: balb toeniger 
2II§ STier, balb mebr ate Sngel. 

9Zat5 an. 

2Irme§ £inb ! 
70 2Ba§ finb totr SUtenfd^en ! 

iDiefett SRorgen lag 

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3Bie tot. ©dmeft fu^r fie auf unb rtef: „§orcb! I)or$! 

©a fommen bte ^amele memeS 33ater3 I 

£ord) ! feine fanfte ©ttmtne felbft!" — ijnbtm 

75 Sradj ftd^> ifyr Sluge toieber, unb ibr §au^t, 
©em feine§ 2Irme§ ©tii|e fief) entjog, 
©turgt' auf ba§ Stiffen. — ^cb jur ^fort' binaus ! 
Unb fteb, ba fommt ^br toabrlid) ! fommt SJfyr toafyrlicb ! — 
2Ba§ SBunber ! 5>b re 9 an 3^ ©eele toar 

80 3)ic 3 e ^ ^ er nur k e * ® u $ — uu ^ ^ m - — 



Set toelcfjem 3§m? 



Set ibm? 



Set ifjm, ber au§ bem fetter 
©ie rettete. 



8 HatfyanberlPeife. 

3Ber tear bag? toer? — 2Bo ift cr? 
2Ber tettete mir tneine SRedja? toer? 

©in junger £em!pelfyerr, ben, toenig STage 
85 gufcor, man fyier flifangen emgebradjt, 
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9iatt)*n. 

2Bie? 

@in Sempelljerr, bem ©ultan ©alabin 

©a§ Seben liefe ? ©ur$ em gering'reS SBunber 

23ar 9te$a nidjt ju retten? ©ott I 

DIjn' ifyn, 
90 3)er fetnen unbermuteten ©etomft 

grifcfy faieber ftmgte, ftar e3 au3 mit tyr. 

28o ift cr, ©aja, biefer eble 9Jlann ? — 
2Bo ift er? gitfjre mid) ju feinen fjti^en. 
Sfyr gabt ifym bo$ toorS erfte, toa§ an ©cfya^en 
95 3$ eudj gelaffen fyatte? gabt ifym alleS? 
Serfyracfyt ifym mefyr? toeit metyr? 

2Sie fonnten fair? 

SKd^t? nid^t? 

$aja. 

@r lam, unb niemanb tuet^ toober. 
6r ging, unb niemanb toeift toofytn. — D^n' atte 
SDe§ §aufe§ $unbf$aft, nur Don feinem Dfyr 
100 ©eleitet, brang mit borgefyreijtem 9Jlantel 



J. 2Iuf3ug. \. 2faf*ritt. 

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105 @mpor fie tragenb. ftalt unb ungeriiljrt 

33om %aud)jen unferS ®anf3, fe§t feme Seute 
6r nteber, brangt ftcfy unterS SSoIf unb ift — 
33erfd£)ftmnben ! 

SRid^t auf immer, ftriH id) fyoffen. 

Stacker bie erften Sage fafyen it>ir 
no 3^ n untern ^almen auf unb nteber toanbeln, 

35ie bort be3 Stuferftanbnen ©rab umfcfyatten. 

Scfy nafyte mid) tl)m mit (Sntjitdfen, banfie, 

@rI)ob, entbot, befc^toor, — nur einmal nodf) 

®ie fromme ^reatur 511 fe^cn, bie 
115 9ttd)t ruf)en fonne, bi§ fie il)ren S)anf 

£u feinen gfiijjen au^getoeinet. 

9?un? 

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Unb goft fo bittern ©pott auf mid) befonbcrS . . . 

A Sttafljwu 

33i3 baburd) abgefd)recft . . . 

9iicfyt§ toeniger! 
120 3$ ^ rat if) n i e ^ en ^ a 9 ^ on neuem an, 
£te£ jeben Sag bon neuem mid) fcerf)oi)nen. 



10 Hat fyan be r IP etfe. 

2Bas iitt id? nid&t Don ifym ! 28a§ $aW icf) md)t 
9to$ gerrt ertragen ! — Stber lartge fd)on 
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3f>r [taunt? 3fyr finnt? 

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3d) iiberbenfe tnir, 
2Ba§ ba§ auf einen ©eift, tote SRed^ag, toof)l 
giir (Sinbrud madden nutfe. ©id£) fo fcerfcfjmaljt 

130 33on bem ju ftnbert, ben man fyod^ufdjatjen 
©id) fo gejtoungen fiifylt; fo toeggeftoften 
Unb bod) fo angejogen toerben — traun, 
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£)h -JJienfcfyenfyaft, ob ©d)toermut fiegen foil. 

135 Dft fiegt aud? ietneS, unb bie SJSfyantafte, 

£ie in ben ©trcit fid) tnengt, madfjt ©d)toarmer, 
Set toeld^en balb ber $opf bag §erj, unb balb 
®a£ §erj ben $opf muft ftnelen. — ©glimmer Saufcf) ! — 
©er Iet^tere, berlenn 1 td) 3ted)a nidjt, 

140 3ft 9ted&a8 gall: fie fcfctoarmt. 



©0 Iieben^toiirbig 



Stllein fo fromm, 



9t*$an. 

3ft bod) au$ gefd^todrmt ! 



SSorneljmlid) eine — ©ride, Wznn ^x toollt, 
3ft ifyr fefyr toert. @3 fei ifyr 3:empeII)err 
$ein ^rbif d^>er unb feine3 ^rbtf c^en ; 



\. 2Iuf 3 ug. i an'ftrl'tt 11 

145 2)er 6ngel einer, beren ©djuije fid; 

%i)T fleineS §erj fcon Kinb^ett auf fo gem 
SSertrauet glaubte, fei au3 fciner SBoIfe, 
$n bie er fonft fcerljiitlt, audE) rtod^ im geuer, 
Urn fie gefdjtoebt, mtt ein$ aU £em£el£)err 

150 igerfcorgetreten. — Sacfjelt mdf)t ! — 2Ber toeifc ? 
Saftt lacfyelnb toemgften§ \i)x einen 2Bafm, 
3>n bem fid) 3 U ^' un ^ Shrift unb SRufelmann 
SBereimgen, — fo einen fiifeen 2BaI)n ! 

2lu$ mir fo fuft! — ©eb, toqcfre Saja, get) ; 
155 Sieb, toa§ fie macbt, ob tdj fie fprecfyen fann. — 

©obann fucfy' tdf) ben totlben, laumgen 

©d)ui$engel auf. Unb toenn ifjm nod) beliebt, 

§iernieben unier un3 ju Men, nod) 

Seltebt, fo ungefittet gftftterfd&aft 
160 3 U tretben : ftnb' id) ifyn getotft unb bring 1 

3^n E?er. 

^f)r unterneljmet biel. 

9ftad)t bann 
©er fiifte SBafyn ber fuftern 2Bafyrf)eit ^$(a£ : — 
SDenn, 3)aja, glaube mir, bem 9Jtenfd)en ift 
@in 3Ttenfd) nod) immer lieber aU ein Sngel — 
165 So totrft bu bocf) auf midE), auf midE) nicfyt jiirnen, 
J SDie Sngelfdjtoarmerin gefyeilt ju fefyn ? 

3$r f e ^> f° 8 U * un ^ f e ^ $ u 3^$ fa fcfylimm! 
3<§ gel)' ! — 2)o$ fyort ! — bo$ fefyt ! — 35a fommi 

[fie felbft. 



12 ZTatfianbertPetfe. 

^meiter ZCuftritt. 

^ e d) a unb bic 53 o r i g e n, 

*Red)a. 

©o feib ^x e ^ k $ S an S un *> S ar / me * n SSater? 

170 3$ glaubt', £$r Ijattet (Sure ©ttmme nur 

gSorau^gef^irft. 2Bo bleibt Sfyr? 28a§ fur Serge, 
giir SBuften, toa§ fur ©trome trennen un§ 
3)enn m>$? -3$r fttmet SBanb an 2Banb mit tyr 
Unb eilt nid^t, @ure 9ied)a ju umarmen? 

175 3)ie arme JJecfya, bie inbeft fcerbrannte! — 

gaft, faft berbrannte! gaft nur. ©djaubert nicfyti 
@§ ift em garft'ger Job, fcerbrennen. D ! 

3Jtein £mb ! mem Iiebe3 Jtinb I 

3#v mufttet itber 
©en @u^rat, £igri3, ^ or ^ an / uber — ^ er 

180 SBeifc toa3 fur 2Baffer all ? — 2Bte oft §aV \<fy 
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©0 nafye lam, bitnft micfy im SBaffer fterben 
©rquidung, Sabfal, SRettung. — 35o$ %i)x feib 

185 ^a nicfyt ertrunlen ; id), id) bin ja nidjt 

33erbrannt. 2Bie ftoften totr un* frcu'n unb ©ott, 
©ott loben ! Gr, er irug @u$ unb ben SJiacfyen 
3luf gliigeln feiner unfid)tbaren Sngel 
£)ie ungetreuen ©trom' fyiniiber. @r, 

190 6r finite meinem (Sngel, baft er f i <$) t b a r 
3luf feinem toeiften gittidje micf) burd) 
3)a3 $euer triige — 



\. 21 uf 3119. 2. 21 n f t r 1 1 1. 13 

(2SeiBem gitttd&e ! 
^a, ja ! ber toeipe, borgefpreijte SCRantel 
£)e3 Sempetyerrn.) 

@r fidjt&ar, fidbtbar mi$ 
195 SDurcf)^ geuer triig', t>on feinem gttticfje 
3Sertoebt. — 3$ a *f°/ *$ §&&' e ™ en @ngel 
33on SCngefid^t §u 2lngeft$t gefefm, 
Unb m e i n e n Sngel. 

3ted£)a toar' e3 toert 
Unb toiirb* an i£>m ni<f)t3 ©djon're* fefm, al£ er 
200 2ln tfyr. 

OfJcdja (ladfjelnb), 

2Bem fcfymeicfyelt Sfyr, mem SSater? toem? 
©em ©ngel ober ©udj? 

3)o$ f)atf aucfy nur 
©in SDienfdf), — ein 9JJenftf>, tote bie ytatux fie taglicfy 
©etoabrt, btr biefen £>ienft erjeigt, er muftte 
giir bidfj ein Sngel fetn. @x mixf>t' unb toiirbe. 

*fletf>a. 

205 9tidE)t fo ein ©ngel, nein ! ein toirflt$er; 
G3 toar getoifs ein toirftidjer ! — SqclU 3$r, 
Sfyr felbft bie SKoglitfjIeit, ba£ ©ngel finb, 
3)a£ ©ott jum Seften berer, bie ifm lieben, 
2(udE) 2Bunber fonne tfyun, mid? nid^t gelefyrt? 

210 %d) lieb' tljn ja. 



14 Hatfyanber IDetfe. 

Unb er Iiebt btcfy unb tfmt 
giir bid) unb beine^gleicfyen (tunblirf) SBunber, 
3a, fyat fie f$on fcon alter Stoigfett 
giir eucf) getfyan. 

*Re$a. 

2)a§ f?5r' icf) gem. 

2Bie? toeil 
@3 ganj natiirlicf), gang atttaglid^ flange, 

215 28enn bid) ein eigent(id)ev £em£ell?err 
©erettet fyatte : foHt' e£ barum toeniger 
©in SBunber fein? — 2)er SBunber I)o$fte§ ift, 
$)a£ un§ bie toatyren, edjten 28unber fo 
SlUtaglid) toerben fonnen, toerben foUen. 

220 DIjn' biefe§ aftgemeine SBunber Ijatte 
Sin ©enfenber tootyl fcfytoerlid) 2Bunber je 
©enannt, toaS £inbern blofc fo fyeifeen tnu^te, 
2)ie gaffenb nur ba§ Ungetooljnli$fte, 
$a§ 9teufte nur fcerfolgen. 

Saja (§u 3tat|ati). 

2BoHt 3fyr benn 
225 3$r ofynebem fd;on tiberfyannteS £irn 
SDurd? foldjerlet ©ubtilitaten gang 
gertyrengen ? 

£aft mid) ! — 9J?einer 9ted?a tear* 
G§ 2Bunber§ ntd&t genug, bafc fie ein SRenfdfj 
©erettet, toeld;en felbft fein fleineS SSunber 
230 @rft retten milffcn? §a, fein fleineS SSunber! 
S)enn toer fyat fcfjon gefyort, bafc Salabin 



[. Tlnf 3tt(j. 2. 21 uf t r t tt. 15 

$e eine3 STempelBerrn berfcfront? £af$ je 
Sin £em£e[f)err Don iBm frerfcbont ju Herbert 
33erlangt? geBofft? iBm je fur feme greiBeit 
235 9JleBr ate ben lebern ©urt geboten, ber 

©ein @ifen fcbte^t, unb fcodbften* feinen 2>olcb? 

£>a§ fcblieftt fur micb, mem 23ater. — 2)arum eben 
2Sar ba§ fein SJem^elBerr ; er fcBien e3 nuv. — 
$ommt lein gefangner JempelBerr je anber§ 
240 2ll£ jum getDxffen iJobe nacf) fyxujaUm ; 
©eBt feiner in ^erufalem fo fret 
limber: toie Bcitte mi$ be§ %ia<fyt$ freiVt>iUtg 
£enn einer retten fonnen? 

©telj, tote ftnnretcfy ! 
^e^t, ©aja, nimm ba§ 23ort. ^df> Ba6' e3 ja 

245 23ort bir, baft er gefangen Bergefdncft 

3ft faorben. DBne 3^ e 'f e ^ toei&t & u nxeBr. 

Xaja. 
9hm ja. — So fagt man freilicb ; — bocb man fagt 
gugleicb, bap Salabin ben JempelBerrn 
23egnabtgt, toeil er feiner ©ruber einem, 

250 Sen er befonbers lieb geBabt, fo aBnlicB fefye. 
&0&) ba es biele jtoanjig ^aBre Ber, 
2)a£ biefer ©ruber nidbt meBr lebt, — er biej3, 
3^ toeift nid£?t tote ; — er blieb, xcf> toetft nidjt too : — 
<So Kingt ba3 ja fo gar — fo gar unglaublidf), 

255 £a£ an ber ganjen Sacbe tooM nicf)ts ift. 

@t, £aja! 23arum toare benn ba§ fo 

Unglaubltcf} ? £0$ tooBI mcf)t — hrie'3 tooljl gefdjtebt — 



16 Hatfjarx ber IDeife. 

Urn lieber tttoaZ no$ Unglaubltdj>er3 
$u glauben? — SBarum fyatte ©alabm, 

260 ©er fern ©efd>Vr>tfter in^gefamt fo Itebt, 
gn jiingem 3 a ^ ren ewen 33ruber nicfyt 
;Jiod) ganj Bef onber£ Iteben f ormen ? — s $ftegen 
©t$ gtoei ©eficfyter nicfyt ju afyneln? — 3jft 
Sin alter ©mbrttcf ein fcerlomer ? — 2Btr!t 

265 ©a3 namlicfye nid^t tnefyr ba£ namlicfye ? — 

©eit toenn? — 23o ftecft ^ier ba£ Unglaublicfye ? — 
@i fretlidj, toeife 3)aja, tofir'S fiir bicfy 
$ein 2Bunber meljr ; tmb b e i n e SBunber nur 
Sebiirf . . . fcerbienen, ftnfl id) fagen, ©lauben. 

270 Sfyr fpottet. 

2Betl bu meiner fpotteft. — 2)o$ 
2tucfy fo nocfy, 9ted^a, bletbet beine Settling 
©in SBunber, bem nur moglicty, ber bie ftrengften 
©ntfdjjtuffe, bie unbanbigften ©nttourfe 
©er $onige, fein ©piel, — toerm nid)t fein ©pott — 
275 ® ern an ken fcfytoacfyften gaben Unit 

SWein SSater ! 
3Jlein SSater, lt)enn tcfy trr', tE>r toiftt, icfy irre 
9Ji$t gem. 

Nathan. 

33telmefyr, bu lafet bid? gem beleljren. — 
©iefy ! eine ©tirn, fo ober fo getoolbt ; 
SDer Sftiiden einer Sftafe, fo fcielmel)r 
280 21(3 fo gefiifyret; 2Iugenbraunen, bie 

2luf einem fdjarfen ober ftumpfen $noc$en 



\. 2Iuf3ug. 2. 21 u f t r 1 1 1. 17 

©o ober fo fid) frf)lctngeln; eine Sinie, 
6in 33ug, ein SBinfel, etne gait', ein SCRal, 
@irt 9Jid)t3 auf eineS toilben @uropaer§ 
285 ©efi$t: — unb bu entfommft bem ^eu'r, in Slften! 
3)a3 toar' lein SSunber, tounberjudjt'ge^ SSoIf? 
2Sarum bemufyt Igbr benn nod) einen 6ngel? 

5Ba§ fcfyabet'3 — -Rattan, toenn id& fprecfyen barf — 
93ei atte bem, fcon cincm Gngel Heber 
290 21(3 einem DJlenfcfyen jtc$ gerettet benlen? 
giiblt man ber erften unbegreiflicfyen 
Urfad&e feiner 9tettung nicf)t ftd) fo 
SSiel natyer? 

Nathan. 

©tolj! unb nicfytS ate ©tolg! 3)er Xopf 
3Son ©fen toill mit einer ftlbem 3ange 

295 ©em au§ ber ©lut gefyoben fein, urn felbft 

6in Xopf toon ©ilber ficfy ju biinfen. — ^3afy ! — 
Unb \va§> e£ fd£)abet, fragft bu? toa§ e§ fd&abet? 
28a3 fyilft e£? biirft' x$ nur Ijintoieber fragen. — 
35enn bem „©icf) ©ott urn fo triel nafyer fufylen" 

300 3ft ttnfinn ober ©otte£(ctfterung. — 

2lHein e£ fcfyabet ; ja, e3 fdjabet afterbing£, — 
$ommt! Ijort mir 311. — 5ftid)t toabr? bem 2Befen, ba3 
5Did^ rettete, — e* fei ein @ngel ober 
©in 9Jienf$, — bem modbtet tt>r, unb bu befonber£, 

305 ©em toieber biele grofee SMenfte tfyun? — 

9ft$t toal)r? — SJlun, einem Gngel, toa3 fur SMenfte, 
gfiir grofse SMenfte !onnt if)r bem toofyl iljun? 
3$r fonnt il)m banlen, ju iljm feufjen, beten ; 
$onnt in (Sntjiicfimg fiber ifyn jerfc^meljen ; 



18 Xlat^an ber IP etfe. 

310 SBrntt an bem Stage fetner $eier faften, 

Sllmofen tyenben. — 2Itte3 nicf)t3. — Senn mid) 
$Deutf)t tmmer, ba£ tfyr felbft unb euer ;Jtacfy(ter 
§ierbei toett mefyr gefrunnt ate er. @r toirb 
9ttc|t fett bur$ euer $afien, toirb nidfyt retd^ 

315 ©urcf) eure ©penben, h>trb ntcfyt Ijerrlidjer 
©urcfy ear (Sntjilcfen, totrb ni$t rttadf)ttger 
SDurcfy eu'r Sertrau'n. Wify ftmfyr? aittein ein 2Renfd^ ! 

©i fretlicfy fyatt' ein 2J?enf$, ettoa3 fur ifyn 
3u t^un, un3 mefyr ©elegenfyeit fcerfd&afft. 
320 Unb ©ott toetft, tote bereit tmr baju toaren ! 
Slttein er tooUte ja, beburfte ja 
©0 boBig m$iS, Wax in fidb, rttit fi$ fo 
SSergniigfam, ate nur Sngel ftnb, nur ©ngel 
©ein fonnen. 

@nbli$, ate er gar fcerfcfytoanb . . . 

325 33erf$toanb ? — SBie benn fcerfcfytoanb ? — ©t$ unUxn 
3l\tf)t f enter fefyen Itefe? — 2Bie? ober fyabt [Spalmen 
2$r toirfli$ fc^on ifyn toeiter aufgefucfyt? 

£)a3 nun toofyl nicfyt. 

Nathan. 
9Wd&t, ©aja? nid^t? — ©a ftefy 
9iun, toa§ e§ fcfmb't — ©raufame ©cfytoarmerinnen ! — 
330 $&tnn biefer ©ngel nun — nun franf getoorben ! . . • 

£ranf ! 



{. 2luf3ug. 2. 2Iuftrttt. 19 

$ranf ! @r toirb bo$ rticfyt ! 

0?ed)a. 

2Bel$ falter ©cfjauer 

93ef aUt mid? ! — 2)aja ! — 9Jtane ©time, fonft 
©o toarm, fiibl ! ift auf einmal @i§. 

9Zatf|att» 

@r ift 

@in grartfe, btefe§ $lima3 ungetoofynt, 

335 3ft l un 9/ ker ^rten SCrbett feine3 ©tanbe3, 

£)e§ §imgem§, 2Batf)en§ ungetoofynt. 

£ranf ! Irani ! 
£)a£ toare mogltdb, meint ja yiafyan nur. 

9?un liegt er ba ! bat toeber gretmb, nocfy ©elb, 
©i$ greunbe ju befolben. 

2(f), mein Sater! 
»atljatt. 

340 Stegt ofyne SSartung, oljrte "Stat unb gutyracfy', 
@in SRaub ber ©cfymerjen unb be§ £obe3 ba! 

2So? too? 

^at^att. 
@r, ber fur etne, bie er nie 
©efannt, gefefyn — gemtg, e3 toar em 9Menfd) — 
2>n§ geu'r fid; fturjtc . . . 

Sftatfyan, fdjonet iljrer! 



20 17 atfyan be r tDetfe. 

Nathan. 

345 2)cr, toaS er rettete, nidjt rtafyer fennen, 

•Kicfyt better feE)en mocfyt', urn iljm ben $)anf 
3u fyaren . . . 

©d&onet i^rer, 9iat^an! 

2Beiter 
2Iu$ rticfyt gu feljn berlangt', e£ toare benn, 
2)afc er jum jtoeitenmal e$ retten foUte — 
350 2)enn g'nug, e§ ift em SSJienfd^ . . . 

§ort auf unb fefyt! 

SDer, ber tyat, fterbenb fid) gu laben, ni$t£ — 
Site ba3 Sefoufetfein biefer STfyat! 

§ort auf! 
S^r totet fie ! 

9tafyan. 

Unb bu baft ifyrt getotet ! — 
§att'ft fo iE>rt toten lonncn. — SRed^a ! SJtecfya ! 
355 ®3 ift SIrjnet, nicfyt ©ift, toaS id) bir reidfje. 

@r lebt! — fomm gu bir! — ift aucfy toofyl nicfyt franf, 
•Kicfyt einmal Irani! 

*Red)a. 

©ctoife ? — nicfyt tot? nicfyt franl? 

©etoifs, nicfyt tot! £)enn ©ott lofynt ®uti$, f>ier 
©etfyan, aucfy fyier nocfy. — ©eb! — Segreifft bu aber, 
360 2Bie bid anbacfytig fcfytoarmen leister ate 



I 2Juf3iig. 2. 2Iuftrttt. 21 

©at fyanbeln ift? 2Sie gem ber fd&lafffte 3ttenfd) 
2tnbdcf)ttg fd&toarmt, urn nur — ift er ju getten 

@i$ fdjon ber 2lbficbt beutlid) mcf)t betouftt — 
Urn nur gut fyanbeln nid^t ju burfen? 

365 9ftein 2?ater ! lafet, laftt (Sure 9tec^a bodE) 
5Rie toieberum attetn ! — 3l\d)t toafyr, er fann 
2lu$ tt>o^t berreift nur fein? — 

©c^t! — SCaerbing^.— 

3$ fefy', bort muftert mit neugter'gem ©lief 
©in 9Wufelmamt mir bie belabenen 
370 $amele. $ennt ifyr ibn? 

§a! @uer SDertoifdj. 
2Ber? 

@uer SDertDifd^, 6uer <S$ad£)gefett! 

*tfattyatt. 

2ll^aft? ba3 Sll^aft? 

£e£t be3 ©ultang 
©$a|meifter. 

SBie? 2II=§afi? Sraumft butotcber? — 
@r ift'3 — toafyrfyafiig, iff* ! — fommt auf un3 ju. 
375 §inein mit eu$, gefefytoinb ! — 2Ba§ toerb' icfy fyoren ! 



22 Hatfyanber H)et fe. 

Drttter Jtuftrttt. 

yiatfyaxi imb ber 2>ertoifd), 

Stetfct nur bie 2tugen auf, fo toeit 3#r fonnt! 

Haitian. 
Sift bu'S? Sift bu e§ nidjt? — $n biefer ^rac^t, 
@in SDertoifd^) ! . . . 

$ertotfd). 
9?un? 2Barumbennni$t? Safet ficfy 
2tu3 einem ©ertoifcb benn mcfyts, gar nid^ts madden? 

9?atf}an. 

380 @i toofyl, genug ! — 3$ bacfyte tnir nur immer, 
3)er 5Dertr>ifdB — fo ber recite 3>erUrif$ — tootle 
2lu§ ft$ nid)t3 macfyen laffen. 

£erttnftf)- 

Seim ^ropfyeten! 

£)a£ id) ietn renter bin, mag au$ tootyl toafyr fetn* 
gtoar toenn man mufc — 

*Kaflatt. 

9J?u£! ©ertoifd)! — SDertoifc^ mu£? 
385 $ein ?!Jtenfcfy mu£ muff en, unb ein £)erttnfd£) miiftte? 
2Sa3 mufctf er benn? 

£>er&>iffy 

2Barum man ifm red^t bittet, 
Unb er fur gut erfennt: bag mufc ein ©ertoif$. 

33ei unferm ©ott! ©a fagft bu toabr. — £a£ bid) 
Umarmen, SJienfd). — ©u btft bod) nod? mein greunb? 



I 2Juf3ug. 3. 2luftrttt. 23 

$ertt>ifd). 

390 Unb fragt nid^t erft, toa§ id) getoorben bin? 

%xo§ bem, toa3 bit getoorben! 

$erttuftf|. 

$onnt' id) nicf)t 
(Sin $ert im ©taat getoorben fein, bee greunbfcfjaft 
@u$ ungelegen toare? 

SBenn bein §erj 
9?o$ SDertoifdE) ift, fo toag' id)'3 brauf. 2)er ®erl 
395 3 m ©taat ift nur bein $leib. 

$>ertotfcf), 

©a§ aud) geeljrt 

2BiH fein. — 28a3 meint $&r? ratet! — 2Ba§ toar' id? 
2tn ©urem §ofe? 

SDertoifcfy, toeiter nicfytS. 
2)o$ nebenljer toafyrfcfyeinlicfy — $0$. 

$>ertoifcf)o 

•Jitm ja! 
3Jlein £>anbfterf bei ®ucf> ju berlernen. — $od) ! 
400 9?id)t ^ettner audE) ? — ©eftef)t, bafe ©atabin 
2Ri$ beffer fennt. — ©dja^meifter bin id) bei 
2$m toorben. 

2)u? — bei ibm? 

$crtotftf), 

33erfieF)t: 

£)e§ fleinem ©cfycd$e§; benn bes gro^ern toaltet 

©em SSater no$ — be3 ©cf)cri3e3 fur fein §au§. 



24 ZTatfyattbertPetfe. 

405 ©etn $au$ ift groft. 

Serttriftfj. 
Unb grower, aU 3$r glaubt; 
$)enn jeber Settler ift toon feinem §aufe. 

Haitian. 

SDod) tft ben Settlern ©alabin fo feinb — 

2>erttrif<^ 

3)aft er mit ©trumpf unb ©tiel fie ju toertUgen 
©icf) t)orgefe^t, — unb fottf er felbft bariiber 
410 3 um Settler toerben. 

Srato ! ©0 mein' tcfy^ eben. 
Serttuftf), 
6r ift'8 aucfy fc^on, troi$ einem ! — 3)enn fein ©$a£ 

3ft jeben Sag mit ©onnenuntergang 
SSxel leerer nod) aH leer. 3)ic $tut, fo l)o$ 
©ie 9Jtorgen3 eintritt, ift be§ 9Jtittag£ langft 
415 Serlaufen — 

JSeil handle fie jum £eit 
33erf$Imgen, bie ju flitlen ober ju 
33erftopfen, gleicfy unmoglidi) ift. 

$ertmfrf)* 

©etroffen ! 
^atljatt. 
3$ fenne ba3! 

$er&uftf). 

@§ taugt nun freilid) ni$t8, 
SBenn giirften ©eier unter 2Xfern ftnb. 



\. 21uf3iig- 3. 2Iuftrttt. 25 

420 ®otf) finb fie 2Xfer unter ©eiern, taugt'3 
9?ecf) jefynmal toeniger. 

Sttatyait. 

D rnd^t bocf>, ©ertoifc^ ! 
yixfyt boti) ! 

3fyr Ijabt gut reben, 3$r ! — $ommt an ; 
2Ba3 gebt $fyr mfr? fa trei * i$ meine ©tell' 
@ucf) ab. 

Hatyatt. 

2Ba3 bringt bir beine ©telle? 

3)e?ftifdj* 

gjtir? 

425 SRi$t bid. 3)od) @udj, @u$ farm fie treff(icf) toud&ew. 
Serin ift e3 @bb' im ©d)a§, — tote i3fter£ ift — 
©0 jieljt 3$v Sure ©cfyleufen auf, fd&tefet bor 
Unb nefymt an 3infen, ^ a ^ @ud) nut gefattt. 

2tu$ ging fcom $in3 ber 3infen? 

Serttriffl), 

gteilidj) ! 

430 9Kein Capital ju lauter $tnfen toirb. 

£)a£ locft @u$ nicfyt? ©0 fcfyreibet unfrer greunbfcfyaft 
SRur g(etd) ben ©cfyetbebrief ! £)enn toafyrltcf) I)ab' 
3^ fe^r auf @ud) gerec^nei. 

9*atf)tttt. 

2Ba&rIic$ 2Bte 
S5enn fo? tote fa bemt? 



26 Ti at fy an be r W eife. 

Sertoiftfj, 

©af$ 3^ r ™ir ™ e w 2lmt 
435 9fttt @l)ren toiirbet fuljren fyelfen; baft 
3d) attjett ope flaffe bet @ud? fyatte. — 
S^r fd)iittelt? 

9?un y fcerftefyn fair un§ nur rerfjt ! 

§ier giebt'3 ju u'nierfdjeiben. — ®u? toarum 

9Kd&t bu? SW^aft 2)ertoifd& ift ju adern, 

440 §Sa§ id) fcermag, mir ftets toittfommen. — 2lber 

2U*§aft ©efterbar be3 ©alabin, 

®er — bem — 

Serttriftf), 

(Srriet td)'3 nidjt? ©aft 3$r bo$ immer 

©0 gut alS Hug, fo Hug aU toetfe fetb ! — 

©ebulb ! 2Ba3 2$r <* m § a ft unterfdjetbet, 

445 ©oU balb gefdrieben toxeber fein. — ©efyt ba 
©a§ @fyren!leib, ba§ ©alabin mir gab. 
Sty' e§ fcerfcfyoffen ift, efy' e3 ju £um!pen 
©etoorben, toie fie einen SDertotfd^ fleiben, 
ipangt'S in ^erufalem am 9iagel/unb 

450 3^ bin am ©ange$, too id) IeidE>t unb barfuft 
©en fyeiften ©anb mit meinen Severn trcte. 



©ir afynlicfy g'nug! 



©ein ^Bd^ftcS ©ut! 



Serttrifd)* 

Unb ©d)a$ mit ifynen fjriele. 



©enft nur, toa3 mtd) berfitfyrte ! 
©amtt id) felbft nidjt langer betteln bitrfte? 



I 2luf3ug. 3. 2Iuftrttt. 27 

455 ©en reidfjen 9Jtcmn mit 33etttern fpielen fonnte? 
SBermogenb todr', im £>ui ben reid^(ten_SettIer 
$n emeu armen 3teid&en ju berWnbeln? 

Watt) tut, 

£)a3 nun toofyl nid)t. 

$>ermiffy 

2Beit ettoa<o 2lbgef$macfter3! 
3$ finite midj jum erftenmal gefd^meid^elt, 
460 Quid) ©alabin§ gutfyerj'gen SBaljn gefd^meidtjelt — 

^atlfatt. 

£)er tear? 

Sertmftf). 

Sin Settler toiff e nur, tote Settlern 
$u 9Jhtte fei ; em Settler fyabe nur 
©elernt, mit guter SSetfe Settlem geben. 
„£>ein SBorfafyr," farad) cr, „toav mir bid $u fait, 

465 3 U rau ^- ® r 9 a ^ l£ urifyblb, toenn er gab, 
Srfunbigte fo ungeftiim fief) erft 
3lad) bem ©mpfanger; nie jufrieben, baft 
©r nur ben SJtonael fenne, toottt' er aud) 
3)e§ 9Jtanget3 IJrfad^ . toiff en, urn bie ®abt 

470 9iacfy biefer Urfacfy' filjtci abjutoagen. 

2)a§ toirb 2tUftafi ni$t! ©0 unmilb milb 
SBirb ©alabin im §afi nitf)t erfd^emen! 
2IU£afi gleid^t berftoftfte n 9W6ren ntcfyt, 
®ie tljre liar unb ftill empfangnen SBaffer 

475 ©0. unrein unb fo fprubelnb toiebergeben. 
3tU$afi benft, Sll^afi fitylt trie ic$!" — 
@o UeblicE) ftang be§ 93ogIer§ SPfeife, bi§ 
£>er ©impel in bem 9?e£e toar. — 3$ ©ecf ! 
3$ eineS ©ecfen ©ecf! 



9 



28 Hatf|an berXPetfe. 

©ema$, mein SJertoifcfc, 

480 ©etnad) ! 

^erttriftf), 

@i tt>aS ! — @3 toar' ntd)t ©etferet, 

93et §unberttaufenben bie 3Henf$en britcfen, 

2lu3mergeln, plimbern, martern, toiirgen unb 

@m 9J?enf$enfreunb an einjeln fdjjeinen tooUert? 

@3 tear' nxc^t ©ecferei, be£ §od)ften 9Jtilbe, 

485 35ie fonber 2lu$toafyl uber SBof unb &uU 

Unb glut unb SBiiftenei, in ©onnenfcfyein 

Unb Jtegen fid) feerorettet, — nad^uaffen/ 

Unb ntdjt be§ §ocf}ften immer fcoHe §anb 

3u fyaben? 23a§? e§ toar' nicfyt ©ederei . . - 

490 ©enug! £)5r auf! 

£a£t m?iner ©edferet 
SJttdj bo$ nur aucfy erVt)d^nen ! — 28a3? e3 to&re 
SRid^t ©ecferei, an folcfyen ©ecferexen 
2)te gute ©eite bennocfy auSjufyuren, 
Urn 2lnteil, btefer guten ©eite toegen, 
495 2ln btefer ©ecferei ju ne^men? §e? 
£)a§ nid&t? 

Slls^afi, macfye, baft bu balb 
$n beine SGBiifte tuieber fommft. 3$ furdjte, 
©tab' unter 9ttenf$en modfrteft bu ein 3Jlenfd^ 
3u fein fcerlernen. 

Sertmftf)* 

9iedjt, ba§ fitrcfyt' tcfy aud^. 
500 2ebt Woi)l ! 



\. 2Juf3ug. 4. 2Iuftritt. 29 

©o Zaftig? — 23arte bocb, Sll^afi! 
(Sntlauft bir bcnn bie SBiifte? 2Barte bodf) ! — 
2)af$ er micf) f)5rte ! — §e, 2ll=§afi ! bier ! — 
SBeg ift er, unb id) bdtt' ibn rto$ fo gern 
?JadE) unferm S^em^elfyerrn gefragt. SSermutlic^, 
505 2)af$ er ifm lennt. 



Pierter Stuftritt, 

£>aia etlig fjerbei. 9?atljan. 

D Nathan, 9?atban! 

9hm? 

28a§ giebt'3? 

@r la^t fid) toieber fefm! gr Iafet 
©idfj toieber fef)n ! 

2Ber, £)qa? foer? 

@r! er! 

@r? er? — SBann lafet fid) ber mdE)t febn! — $a fo, 
9Jur euer ©r fyeifet er. — £)a3 foUt' er nicfyt ! 
510 Unb toenn er and) eirt @rtgel todre, nicfyt ! 

@r toanbelt untern specimen toiebcr auf 

Unb ab unb bridf)t Don 3d* 311 3eii M SDatteln. 



30 Hatfyan ber tPeife. 

9*atl)att. 

©ie effenb? — unb aU Stempelfierr? 

2Ba§ qualt 
3$r micfy ? — 2$ r gi^trig 2tug' erriet ifyn Winter 

515 2)en bid^t fcerfd;ranften ^crimen fcfyon unb folgt 
2#m unfcerrucft. ©ie laftt @ud) bitten, — @u$ 
SBefc^tooren, — lihgefaumt ifyn anjugebn. 
D etlt! ©te n>irb @u$ au3 bem genfter toinfen, 
Db er fymauf gefyt ober better ab 

520 ©i$ fd)lagt. D eilt! 

9tatf)<m. 

©0 tote tcfy bom Gamete 
©eftiegen? — ©d&tdft fid) ba§? — ©efy, etlc bu 
ijfym §u unb melb t$m meine SBteberfunft. 
©ieb acfyt, ber Siebermqnn £>at nur mein §au§ 
$n meinem 2lbfein ni$t betreten tooHen, 
525 Unb lommt nicfyt ungern, toenn ber SSater felbft 
3$n laben lafet. ©efy, fag, id) laft ifyn bitten, 
3$n fjerjlicfy bitten , . . 



r 



8W umfonft ! @r ttmmt 
(Sucfy nid&t. — ®enn furj, er fommt $u feinen ^uben. 



^attjatt. 

©0 gel), geb toenigftenS tfyn anjufyalten, 
530 3$n toentgftenS mit beinen 3lugen ju 

Segleiten. — ©el), tcfy lomme gleid) bir nad^). 

(Sftatfycm etlt fjtnetn unb £>aja fyerauS.) 



I. 2luf3ug. ■ 5. 21uftrttt. 31 

#infter tfuftrttt. 

keener cm *p(ct£ mit ^almen, unter weld) en ber £em$)e(l}err 
auf unb nteber geljt (gin it 1 o ft e r b r u b e r folgt Ujm in einiger 
(Sntfemutig sort ber ©cite, immer ate ob er i^n anrebett rootle. 

2)er folgt mir nict)t t>or Sangertoeile ! — ©ier), 

SBie fcfjielt er nadf) ben §anben ! — ©uter 33ruber, — 

3$ farm @ucf) autf) toofyt SSater nennen, nic^t? 

£(ofter&ruber. 

535 Jiur Sruber, — Saienbruber nur, ju bienen. 

Xempelljerr, 

3a, guter ©ruber, roer nur felbft toa§ fyatte! 
Set ©ott ! Set ©ott ! 3* fyabe ntd&ts — 

5Hofterfiruber. 

Unb boct) 

SRcd^t toarmen ©anf! ©ott geb' (Sud£) taufenbfacr), 
2Ba3 3^ r 9 ern 3 e &en tootttet. £)enn ber SBttte, 
540 Unb nid^t bie ©abe macr;t ben ©eber. — 2tuc£) 
SSarb t$ bem §errn 2Umofen3 roegen gar 
9it$t nadfjgefdfncft. 

SempeUjerr, 

SDocr) aber nad^gefd^idft ? 

SUofterfcruber. 

3a, au§ bem Softer. 

Sempettjerr, 

2Bo ict) eben je£t 
©in fletneS Spilgermafyl ju finben t>offte ! 



32 XI atfyan ber ID etfe. 

SHofterfcruber. 

545 3)ie £ifcf)e toaren fcfjon befell ; fomm' aber 
©er §err nur toieber mit juriicf. 

Sem^eUjevr. 

3* tyabe $Ieiftf) faofyl lange nicfyt gegeffen, 
ataetn, toa3 tout's? 5Dte SDattcIn [tub \a reif. 

$lofterfcruber. 

SRc^m 1 ficfy ber §err in acfyt mit btefer gruc^t. 
550 $u *wl genoffen taugt fie md&t, fcerftopft 
©ie 9WUj, mac^t meland^olifrfje^ ©eblitt. 

Scm^cllierr. 

SSenn id? nun melancfjolifd? gem midfj) finite? — 
3)o$ btefer SBamung ftegen tourbet 3$r 
SJltr bocf) nicfyt natf)gefcfytcft? 

SUofter&ruber, 

D nein ! — $$ foil 
555 3Wid^ nur natf) @u$ erfunben, auf ben gafyn 
OudE) fiifylen. 

Xempei^err, 

Unb ba§ fagt 3^r mir fofelbft? 

SUofterfcruber. 

2Barum nid£)t? 

SempeHjerr, 

©in fcerf djmi^ter Sruber ! — §at 
©a§ Softer @ure§glei$en mefyr? 

Slofterferuber. 

SEetfc nid&t. 
$$ mu£ gegotaen, lieber §err. 



\. 2Iuf3ug. 5, 2Iuftritt. 33 

%zmpd\)tvv. 

Unb ba 

560 ©efror d&t 3#r benn aucb, ofme biel jullugeln? 

^(ofter&ruber. 
SSar^ fonft gefyordjen, Ueber §err? 

£em£ell)err, 

Safe bod? 
SDie (Sinfalt immer re$t 6el)alt ! — 3$ r bilrft 
3Jttr bocf) aucf) U)oE)I bertrauen, toer midj gern 
©enauer fennen module? — 3)aj$ 2$r'3 fcI6fl 
565 yt\d)t feib, lx>iH icfy toofyl fd^tooren. 

SHofterbntber- t^-" 

3iemte mir'3? 

Unb frommte tmr'3? 

£empenjerr. 

2Bem jiemt unb frommt es benn, 
©aft er fo neubegierig tft? 2Bem benn? 

$Iofterbruber. 

©em ^atriarcfyen, mufe i$ gtauben ; — benn 
3Der fanbte micfy Qui) wad). 

£em)jen)en\ 

2)er ^atriartf) ! 
570 $ennt ber ba§ rote $reaj auf toeijjem SJJantel 
Mtc&t befjer? 

&lofterbruber. 

^enn' ja ic^'S! 

£em$)ett|en\ 

Run, ©ruber? 9?un? — 
%d) bin ein Sempelfyerr, unb ein gefangner — 



34 rtat^an ber IDetfe. 

■ 
©efc' id) Ijinju : gefangen bei £ebnin, 

©er 33urg, bie mtt be3 ©tillftanb3 letter ©tunbe 
575 9Sir gern erftiegen fatten, urn fobann 

Sluf ©ibon lo^ugebn ; — fet$' trf) fyinju : 

©eibjtoanjigfter gefangen unb adein 

25om ©alabin begnabiget : fo toetft 

©er ^atriarcfy, toa§ er ju toiffen braucfyt — 
580 9Jte^r al§ er braudf?t. 

fifofterlintber. 

S23ot>I aber fcfyfaerlidE) mefyr, 
2lte er fd)on foeift. — @r tDix^t' and) gem, toarum 
©er §err fcom ©alabtn begnabigt toorben, 
@r ganj aftein. 

XempeUjerr, 

2Bet§ icb ba§ felber? — ©$on 
©en §ate entblofct, fcitcf ' id; auf tneinem Mantel, 

585 ©en ©treid) erftmrtenb, ate mid) fd^arfer ©alabtn 
$n3 2luge faftt, mir naljer fyringt unb toinft. 
9ttan Ijebt mtcfy auf ; icfy bin entf effelt, toitt 
3$m banfen, fety' fein Slug' in Straiten: ftumm 
3ft er, bin id) ; er gefyt, id) bleibe, — 2Bie 

590 9iun ba§ jufammenljangt, entratjTe ftcfy 
©er $atrtarc£)e felbft. 

Sfofterferuber, 

@r fd&Iiejjt barau§, 
©aft ©ott ju groften, graven ©ingen @u$ 
Stiij} 1 aufbeljalten l)aben. 

Semfcenjerr. 

3a, ju groften! 
©in Subenmabc^en au8 bem gfeu'r 311 retten, 



\. 2Juf3ug- 5. Sluftritt. 35 

595 2Iuf Sinai neugter'ge ^ilger ju 
©eleiten, unb bergleidben tnebr. 

IMofier&ruber. 

2Sxrb fd^on 
SfadE) lommen! — 3ft injtoif$en aucb ntd)t jubel. — 
33teHeidE)t fyat felbfi ber ^atriarcf) berettS 
2Beit toidbt'gere ©efdbafie flir ben £errn. 
Xemjjettjerr. 
6oo ©o? meint 3$r, ©ruber? $at er gar SudE) fcbon 
2Ba§ merfen laffen? 

SHafter&ruber. 

©, ja too^I! — %$ fott 
SDen §errn nur erft ergrtinben, ob er fo 
SDer 9Jiann too^I ift. 

Xempetym. 

9hm ja ; ergriinbet nur ! 
(3dj hritt bod^ febn, tote ber ergriinbet!) — 5lun? 

fifofterfcruber. 
605 2)a3 Surj'fte totrb \vobl fern, baft id; bem §erm 
©anj grabeju be3 ^atriarcfyen 2Sunfdf) 

©roffne. 

£empett)err. 
SDBo^I! 

SHofterferuber. 

@r batte burcf) ben §errn 
©in 33riefd?en gern BefteUt. 

Xempelfjerr, 

3)urd& mi$? ^dj bin 
£ein Sote. — ©a3, ba£ frare ba£ ©efctyaft, 
610 £)a3 toeit glorreicfrer fei, aU ^ubenmabcfyen 
2)em geu'r entreiften? 



36 ZTatttanberrDetfe. 

SHofterBruber. 

3Rufe boc^ toofyl ! — 35enn — fagt 
®er ^atriardE) — an btefem 33riefcfyen fei 
35er ganjen ©fyriftenfyeit fefyr t>iel gelegen, 
3)ie§ 93rieftf)en n>o^I befteUt ju baben, — fagt 
615 2)er ^}atriar$ — toerb' einft im §itnmel ©ott 
9ttit etner ganj befonbern $rone lofynen. 
Unb biefer Shone — fagt ber $atriar$ — 
©et niemanb toiirb'ger ate mein §err. 

Xempettjerr- 

ate id&? 
©lofterbruber. 

Qtnn biefe $rone ju fcerbienen, fagt 
620 ©er $atrtard) — fei fdi)ft>erli$ jemanb aucfy 
©efcfyicfter ate mein §crr. 

XempeUjerr. 

Site id&? 

Slofterbruber. 

@r fei 
ipier frei ; form' iiberaE fidf) E>ter befefyn ; 
3Serfte^% tote eine ©tabt ju ftiirmen unb 
3u fcfurmen ; fonne — fagt ber ^atriard^ — 
625 ®ie ©tarl' unb ©d)toci$e ber Don ©alabin 
SReu aufgefiifyrten, inncrn, jtoeiten 9J?auer ^ * 
2lm beften fdE)a|en, fie am beutlidjften 
S)en ©treitern %vtt&, fagt ber ^atriarcfy, 
33ef$reiben. 

©uter ©ruber, ioenn idE) bo$ 
630 %l\m aucfy be3 23riefdf)en3 nafyern ^nfyalt touftte. 



\. 2luf3ug. 5. 21 u f t r 1 1 1- 37 

SUofterbruber. 
3>a ben, — ben toeip \d) mm tr>oi>I nidf)t fo recfyt. 
3)a3 Sriefd^en aber ift an $onig SPfyiKity. — 
3)er ^atrtard) . . . 3$ ^ a ^' m ^ °f* fjetounbert, 
2Bie bod) em §eiltger, ber fonft fo gan$ 
635 3 m ^tttwtel lebt, jugletdE) fo tmierricf>tet * 
Son 2)ingen biefer SBelt ju fetn berab 
@tc£) laffen lann. @3 mu& ibm fauer toerben. 

Sempefljerr. 

9?un bann? 2)er ^atrtardj? — 

JHofterbruber. 

2Bei§ ganj genau 
©anj juDerlafftg, toie unb too, tote ftarf, 
640 S3 on toelcfyer ©eite ©alabin, im gall 
®3 fcottig toieber Io3gef)t, feinen gelbjug 
©roffnen toirb. 

Xempetyetr. 

25a§ toeife er? 

5Hofterbntber. 

^a, unb mod^t' 

6§ gem bem $onig SPfytltyp roiffen laffen, 

©amit ber ungefabr ermeffen fonne, 

645 Db bie ©efaljr benn gar fo fcfyrecflidE), urn 

3Hit ©alabin ben 333affenftilleftanb, 

£en 6uer Drben fdjon fo brat> gebrod^en, 

@3 fofte ioa3 e3 tooUe, ftrieber fyer 

3u ftellen. 

Sem^eHjerr* 

2M$ ein ^atxxaxd) ! — $a fo ! 
650 £)er liebe, ta^fre SJlann toil! micf) &u feinem 
©emeinen Soten, totH mid; jum ©pton. — 



38 Hainan berlDetfe. 

©agt Suerm ^atriarcfyen, guter ©ruber, 
©obiel ^i)x micfy ergriinben fonnen, toar' 
2)as meine ©a$e nicfyt. — .^3) miiffe mid) 
655 9iocfy ate ©efangenen betradEjten, unb 
3)er £em£elfyerren etnjiger 33eruf 
©ei, mit bem ©cfytoerte brein ju fd^Iagen, nid)t 
Kunbfcfyafterei ju treiben. 

$H0fter&ruber, 

35a$l' td&'S bod?! — 
2BilP8 aud) bem §errn ni$t eben fefyr fcerltbeln. — 
660 fttoax Wmmt baf JBefte nod). — S)er $atriard) 
§iernad)ft fyat auSgegattert, tote bie gfefte 
©i$ nennt, unb too auf Sibanon fie Iiegt, 
$n ber bie ungefyeuren ©ummen ftecfen, 
Wit toeldjen ©alabin§ fcorfidjt'ger SBater 
665 2)a§ §eer befolbet unb bie 3u*fiftangeit m 
2)e3 $rteg£ beftrettet. ©alabin fcerfitgt 
33ort gett ft* 3 e ^ <* u f abgelegnen 2Begen 
SRad^ biefer geftc ficfy, nur faum begleitet. — 
3fyr merit bocfy? 

Sempetyerr. 
9ttmmermefyr ! 

£fofter&ruber- 

28a3 toare ba 
670 2Bofyl leister, al8 be3 ©alabinS ftd) $u 

Semadjtigen? ben @arau3 ifym §u madden? — 
3$r fd^aubert? — D, e3 fyaben fdjon ein $aar 
©ott^fiirdEjt'ge SJlaroniten ftd£> erboten, 
2Benn nur ein toacfrer Warm fie fiifyren toolle, 
675 3)a§ ©tiitf ju toagen. 



\. 21 u f 3 u g. 5. 21 u f t r 1 1 t. 39 

Xempenjerr* 

Unb ber $atriar$ 

§atf aud) ju biefem toacfern SUtonne mid) 

(Srfefyn? 

Sloftcrbntber, 

@r glaubt, bap $5nig ^tltyp tooljl 
Son $toIemai3 au§ bie £>anb fyierju 
3lm beftcn bieten fonnc. 

gjJir? mix, ©ruber? 
68o 9Jttr? £>abt 2$r nidfjt gefyort? nur erft gefyort, 
2Ba§ fur 3Serbinblicf)Ieit bem ©alabtn 
3$ %aht? 

^lofierfcruber- 

SBobI t>aV id&'3 gcprt. 

Xem^eUjerr. 

Unb bod?? 

Hfofterfouber, 

3a, — mcint ber $atriardj — ba3 tear' fcf)on gut : 
©ott aber unb ber Drben . . . 

Xmpttytvx. 

2tnbern ni$t£! 
685 ©ebieten mir fein 33ubenftiicf ! 

SHoftertiruber. 

©etoifs mcE)t ! — 
9iur — meint ber $atriar$ — fei Subenftucf 
S3or 9J?enfcf)en ntd&t au$ SuBenftfidE fcor ©ott. 

£em}>eH)err, 
3$ tear' bem ©alabtn mem Seben fd^ulbig: 
Unb raubt' ifym feine£? 



40 Xlat\\a n oer It)etfe. 

SHofterfcruber, 

SPfui ! — ©od; bliebe — meint 
690 ©er ^atriarcfy — notf) immer ©alabin 

©in geinb ber Sfyriftenfyett, ber (Suer greunb 
$u fein, lein 3tecf)t ertoerben lonne. 

Sem^elfjerr, 

greunb? 
2In bem id) blo£ nid)t toiH jum ©cfyurfen toerben, 
gum unbanlbaren ©cfyurfen? 

Sfofter&ruber. 

Stilerbingg ! — 
695 fttoax — meint ber ^atriard) — be§ QarxttZ fei 

Tlan quitt, Dor ©ott unb SJJtenfcfyen quitt, tocnn un§ 
£)er SDienft urn unfertttullen nid)t gefc^etyen. 
Unb ba b'erlauten toolle, — meint ber ^atrtarcfy — 
©aft (Sudj) nur barum ©alabin begnabet, 
700 2Beit ifym in (Surer SUtten', in (Suerm SBefen 
©0 toaS toon feinem ©ruber eingeleucfytet . . . 

Sem^eUjerr* 

2lud) biefe§ toeift ber ^atriarcfy, unb botf)? — 
2tl)! Vx>are ba3 getoift! 211? , ©alabin! — 
2Bie? bie 9?atur Ijatt' aud£) nur (Sinen gug 

705 SSon mir in beineS 33ruber§ $orm gebilbet, 
Unb bem entfyracfye ni$t§ in meiner ©eele? 
2Ba§ bem entfpracfye, lonnt' id) junterbrudfen, . 
Urn einem $atrtar$en ju gefatten? — 
9Jatur, fo liigft bu ntcfyt ! ©0 toiberfyricfyt 

710 ©id) ©ott in feinen 2Berfen nid)t! — ©efyt, ©ruber! — 
@rregt mir meine ©alle ntd)t! — ©efyt! gel)t! 



\. 21 u f 3 u g. 6. 21 u f t r 1 1 t. 41 

ftlofterfcruber. 
!gcf) geb', unb get)' bergniigter, ale id) lam. 
SScrjeibe mir ber §err. 2Bir Slofterleute 
Stub fd^ulbtg, unjern Obern ju gefyorcfyem 



Sedrfter 2tuftritt 

Xer Xempetfjerr unb £■ a j a , bic ben Xempelfyerm fdjon eine 
3ett(ang bon tueitem beobacfjtet Ijatte unb ftcf) nun ifym nafyeri 

715 ®er Alofterbruber, toie mid) bunft, liefc in 

S)er beften Scum' ibn md^t. — £od) mu^ id) mein 
$Pafet nur toagen. 

£empett)err. 

Sftun, bortreffticf) ! — Sitgt 
®a£ 'Spricfytoort toobl, baft -JJtondj unb 28eib, unb SBeib 
Unb 9Jtond) be3 3Teufet3 beibe Krattai jtnb? 
720 ©r toirft micfy Ijeut' au3 einer in bie anbre. 

3Ba3 fe&' id)? — ©bier fitter, @udj?— ©oti ©an!! 
©ott taufenb £>anf ! — 22o babt %bx benn 
2)ie gauge $eit geftedEt ? -^- 3$r feib bo$ too^I 
9tt$t Iran! getoefen? 

9?ein. 

©efunb bod)? 
Xempelfjerr, 

3a. 



42 Hainan berttJeife. 

725 2Bir toaren ©urettoegen h>af>rlic^ ganj 

Sefummert. 

SempeUfen*. 

©0? 

3$r toart getoif$ fcerreift? 

Xempenjerr, 

©rraten ! 

Unb lamt tyeutf erft ftrieber? 

©eftern. 

2tud) 9}ed)a§ S3ater ift Ijeut' angefommen. 
Unb nun barf ^ecfya bo$ too^l fyoffen? 

Xett$etyen:« 

2Ba3? 

730 2Barum fie @u$ fo ofter§ bitten laffen. 
3fyr SSater labet ©ttcfy nun felber balb 
SlufS bringlidjfte, @r lommt bon Sabblon 
3Jiit jtoanjig fyocpelabenen ^amelen 
Unb aUcm, U)a§ an ebeln ©pejereien, 

735 3ln ©teinen unb an ©toffen $nbten 
Unb 5p erft en unb ©tyrien, gar ©ina 
$oftbare§ nur getoafyren. 

Xtmpttytvx. 

$aufe nictytS. 

©ein SBoII t>eref>ret tfyn al8 einen $urfien. 
SDotf) baft e§ ifyn ben toetfen SKatfyan nennt 



\. 2luf3ug. 6. 2luftrttt. 43 

740 Unb nicfyt t>ielme^r ben 5tetc§en, I)at tmcfy oft 
©eimmbert. 

Xtmpttytxx. 

©einem 93oII ift ret$ unb toetfe 
SSietteid^t ba£ namltdje. 

SBor aHem abet 
^att'S ifm ben ©uten nennen muffen. S)enn 
2$r ftellt @udb gar ntd)t bor, lt>te gut er ift. 
745 2113 er erfubr, brie biel ®ud) 9?ed?a fcfyulbig, 
2Ba§ fyatt' in biefem Slugenblicfe nxrf)t 
6r aHe§ @ud? geifyan, gegeben! 

81! 

SBerfud^t'S unb lommt unb fetyt! 

Sentyetyerc, 

2Ba3 benn? toie fdEmeH 
@in Slugenblicf fcoriiber ift? 

§att' idfe, 
750 2Benn er fo gut nidE)t fear', e§ tntr fo lange 

Set iijm gefallen laffen? UJleint S^r ettoa, 

3$ fiit)Ie meinen SSert al3 Sbrifttn nid^t? 

2ludE) mir toarb'3 bor ber 23iege ntcbt gefungen, 

Xafy id) nur barum meinem ©fy'gemaf)! 
755 5ftacf) ^alaftina folgert tourb', urn ba 

©in 3jubenmabcfcen ju erjxe^n. @s toar 

9Kein lieber ©b'gemabl ein ebler $ne$t 

gn $aifer griebri$§ §eere — 



44 HatfyanberlDetfe. 

35on ©eburt 
(Sin (Sdjtoeijer, bem bie @l)r' unb ©nabe tt>arb, 
760 9Rit ©einer ^aiferlicfyen 9Jtajeftat 

3n einem gluffe ju erfaufen. — SBeib ! 

2Bie bielmal Ijabt %bx mir ba3 fd^on erjdfylt? 

§6rt ijfyr benn gar mcfyt auf, mid) 311 berfolgen? 

Serfolgen! lieber ©ott! 

Xtmpttytvx. 

3a, }a, fcerfolgen. 

765 $$ ^K nun einmal @u$ ntdjt toeiter fefyn! 
9tt$t Ijoren! 2BtII bon @ud) an eine 3tyat 
9ftf$t fort unb fort erirmert fein, bet ber 
%<fy mcfytS gebacbt, bie, toenn id) briiber benle, 
$um SRatfcI bon mir felbft mir totrb. fttoax mod)t' 

770 Set) ft e n\tf)t gern bereuen. 2Iber fel)t, 
©reignet fo ein $aU ft$ toteber : $I)r 
©eib f$ulb, toenn id) fo rafcf) md)t l)anble ; toenn 
3$ mid) border erfunb' — unb brennen laffe, 
28a§ brennt. 

Setoafyre ©ott! 

£em£enjerr* 

3Son fyeut' an tfyut 
775 SCRtr ben ©efaHen toenigftenS, unb lennt 

mid) toeiter nid)t. $d) Kttf @u$ brum. 2Iu$ lajjt 
®en S3ater mir bom Jpalfe. Sub' ift $ube. 
gdj bin ein plumper &d)toah. 3)e3 2Rab$en§ 33ilb 
3ft langft au£ meiner ©eele, toenn e§ je 
780 35a toar. 



*. 21uf3ug. 6. ZUftritt. 45 

£)o$ @ure§ ift au§ ifyrer ni$t 

£emj>ett)err» 

22a§ foH^ nun aber ba? mag foH'3? 

2Ber toeifc! 
£)ie 5RenfdE>en finb nicfyt tmrner, toa§ fie fdjjeinen. 

£ent£en)err, 

£)od) felten ettoa§ SBefjerS. 

(@r oeftt) 

SBartet bod) ! 
£BaS eilt gfyr? 

Sentyetyet?. 

2Beib, ma$t mir bie $almen ni$t 

785 33erE>aftt, toorunter i$ fo gern fonft toanble. 

©o gefy, bu beutfcfyer Sar ! fo gefy ! — Unb bocfy 
9Jtuf$ id) bie ©pur be§ £iere3 nid^t bcrlicren. 

(Sie Qct)t ifytn Don toeitem nadj.) 



3wnttx Jflufjug. 



(Erfter 2tuftrttt. 

Scene: be§ Sultcm§ ^alaft. 
© a I a b i n unb © i 1 1 a fy tyieten ©tfjadj. 

2Bo bift bu, ©atabtn? SSie foielft bu ^eui'? 

Salabitn 

3ft$t gut? 3$ ba$te bod^« 

6itte|. 

%ixx mtcfy, unb faum. 

790 9itmm biefen gug juriidf. 

©alabin, 

SBarum? 

©ittalj, 

SDer Springer 
2Birb unbebecfi. 

©alabuu 

3ft toafyr. 3fom fo ! 

©o jtety' 
3$ in bie ©abel 

©alabitt, 

2Bieber tocfyx. — ©$ad) bann! 

46 



2. 2Iuf3ug. \. Unfit xtt 47 

28a§ fyilft bit ba§? ^cfy fe^e toor, unb bu 
Sift, toie bu toarft. ■ 

Satobtn, 

2lu§ biefer $Iemme, fef)' 
795 3$ too^I, ift oEme 33u£e nidbt jtt fommen. 
SJJag'g ! nirnrn ben ©pringer nur. 

Sttfity. 

2>4> tt)iH ifm nid)t, 

$$ get)' borbei. 

©alabut, 

2) u fdjenfft mir ni$t§. Sir liegt 
Sin biefem $la£e mefyr ate an bem Springer. 

$ann fetn. 

(galabitt. 

ajfad^ beine 3terfmung nur nicfyt ofyne 
8oc Sen Sffitrt. 3)enn fief) ! 23a§ gilt's, ba§ toarft bu nid^t 
aSermuten? 

f?reili(^ ni$t. 22ie fount' id) aud) 
SSermuten, ba§ bu beiner ^onigin 
©o miibe toarft? 

©alabttt, 

$cf> meiner $omgin? 

3$ fef)' nun fcfyon, id? foil fjeut' meine taufenb 
805 ©mar', lein SKaferindben mefyr getoinnen. 

Safabitt* 

Sffite fo? 



48 HatfyanberlPetfe. 

grag nod) ! — 2Beil bu mit gletfe, mit after 
©etoalt berlteren tmtlft. — £)ocfy babei ftnb' 
3$ meine Stemming nicfyt. £)enn aufcer, baft 
(gin foI$e§ ©piel ba3 unterfyaltenbfte 
810 -Kid^t ift, getoann id; immer ntcfyt am meiften 
3JHt bit, toenn id) berlor? 2Eenn Ijaft bu mir 
Sen ©a£, mid) be§ fcerlomen ©£iele3 toegen 
3u troften, boppelt nicfyt fyernadj) gefd^enJt ? 

Salabttt, 

(Si fief) ! fo batteft bu ja toobl, toenn bu 
815 aSerlorft, mit gleift fcerloren, (Sd^n>efterd^en ? 

gum toenigften lann gar toobl fetn, baft beine 
greigebigfeit, mein Itebe3 Sruberdjen, 
@dmlb ift, baft icE) nid^t beffer fpielen lernen. 

Salabuu 

2Bir fommen ah bom ©piele. 3Jtacfy ein (Snbe! 

820 ©0 bleibt e§? Sftun benn : ©d)a$ ! unb boJppelt ©dErncfy ! 

©alabttu 

Nun fretlicf), biefe3 3Ibfd^ad^ ^ab' id) nicfyt 
©efefyn, ba§ meine ^onigin jugleidf) 
9Rit niebertoirft. 

Stttafj, 
2Bar bem no$ abjufyelfen? 

Saft fetyn. 

(Sainton, 

^ftein, nein ; nimm nur bie $onigtn, 

825 3$ toar mit biefem ©teine nie recfyt glucflicty. 



2. 2Iuf3ug. \. 2X w f t r 1 1 1. 49 

Sittafj, 

23Io£ mit bem ©teine? 

Sctfobut* 

gort bamit ! — £)a§ tfmt 
3Kir ntd^t^. £)enn fo ift afte§ toieberum 
©efd&ii$fc 

©itfalj, 

2Bie fyoflicf) man mit $i>niginnen 
9Serfaf)ren miiffe, l)at mein Sruber mtcfj 
830 3 U to°fy gelefyrt. 

(Sie lajjt fxe fteljcn.) 
Salabtn, 
Sfttmm ober nimm fie ni$t ! 
3^ l)abe feine mefyr. 

SBoju fie nefymen? 
©dfja$! — ©$a$! 

(Safabtm 

9Zur toeiter. 

(Bitta^ 

®$acfy ! — unb ©$ad) ! — unb ©$a$ ! — 

<Safabtm 
Unb matt ! 

(Sittafj, 

9ttd?t ganj ; bu jiefyft ben ©pringer no$ 

Sajtoifcfyen, ober toa§ bu madden toittft. 

835 ©Ieid&iriel! 

Sritabin, 

©anj red^t! — 3>u fyaft gefoonnen, unb 
3H*$afi ja$It. 3Jtan faff ifm rufen! gleicf) ! — 



50 Hainan be r ID cife. 

2)u fyatteft, ©ittalj, ni$t fo unrest; icfy 
2Bar nicfyt fo gan$ Beim ©piele, toar jerftreut. 
Unb bann : tt>er giebt unS benn bie glattcn ©teine 

840 SSeftdnbtg? bie an ni$t3 erinnew, nid)t3 
33ejet$nen. §ab' id) mit bem $ mau kenn 
©efyieli? — 2>odE) toaS? SBcrluft tottt Sortoanb. Sfacfyt 
SDie ungeformten ©teine, ©ittafy, finb% 
®ie nudj t>erlteren marten: beine $unft, 

845 Deux rugger unb fd)neHer 93IidE . . . 

6ttta|. 

2tuc^ fo 

2BiHft bu ben ©tadjel be§ 33erluft§ nur ftumpfen. 
©enug, bu toarft gerftrcut, unb mefyr aid i$. 

Salabut. 
2110 bu? 2Ba3 fyatte bid^ jerftreuet? 

Seine 
^erftreuung freilidf) nicfyt ! — D ©alabin, 
850 SBann toerben toir fo fleifttg toieber fyielen ! 

©alabttt- 

©0 fpielen toir urn fo Did gieriger ! — 
Sty ! toeil e3 toieber loSgefyt, tncinft bu ? — 3Jtog'8 ! — 
9hir ju ! — S$ ^ al & e ntcfyt giaexrft gejogen ; 
$dE) fyatte gem ben ©txlleftanb auf3 neue 
855 33erlangert; fyatte meiner ©ittcty gem, 
©ern einen guten SJJann gugleid^ fcerfd&afft. 
Unb ba§ muft SRtctyarbS Sruber fein ; er ift 
$a 9iicfyarb§ SSruber. 

SBenn bu beinen 9tt$arb 
9£ur lofcen fannft! 



2- 2Iuf3ug. \. tfufiritt. 51 

©alabitt, 
SBenn unferm 33ruber 9JWe! 
860 &ann 9ttd?arb§ ©djtoefter toar' 311 £eile ftorben: 
§a! toeld; exn £au3 jujammen! §a, ber erften, 
SDer beften §aufer in ber SBelt ba§ befte! — 
3)u ^orft, icf) bin micfy felbft ju loben aucfy 
5fticf)t faul. $$ biinf mi$ metner greunbe toert. — 
865 3)a§ fyatte SKenfdjen geben fotten ! bae! 

§ab' icf) be* fd;onen Xraum§ rtid^t gletd; gelad^t ? 
35u fermft bic Sljriften nicbt, \mll\t fie nicfyt fennen. 
$ijr ©tolj ift : Gfjriften fein, nicfjt 9Jienfcben. 3)enn 
©elbft ba§, toaS no$ fcon tfyrem ©tifter Ijer 

870 3Wtt 3ttenfd)Ucbfett ben 2tberglauben toirjt," 
2)a§ lieben fie, nidt toeil e§ menfcblid) ift: 
SBeiPS 6f)riftu§ lefyrt, toeil'S SbriftuS E?at getfyan. — 
2Bof)I iljnen, ba§ er fo ein guter SCTtenfd^ 
9tod^> faar ! 9Botyl ifynen, baft fie feine Sugenb 

875 2Iuf Sreu' unb ©lauben neljmen fonnen! — £>o$ 
2Ba3 Sugenb? — ©eine Sugenb nid)t, fein 9?ame 
©oil iiberaH fcerbreitet toerben, foil 
2)ie 9iamen after guten N D?enfcben fcfyanben, 
33erf$lingen. Urn ben Xiamen, urn ben -Kamen 

880 ^ft ifynen nur ju tfyum 

©alaMtt. 

S)u tneinft, Saturn 
©ie fonft t>erlangen toiirben, baft awfy ifyr, 
2luc^ bu unb 9Mef, Gfyriften bieftet, efy' 
3lte e^gemaf)! ifyr Sfyriften lieben ftofttet? 

Bittal). 

$a tootyU Site toar' fcon Gtjriften nur, al§ ©Ijriften, 



52 tfatfyanberlDetfe. 

885 £)te Siebe ju getoartigen, toomit 

25er ©cfydpfer 9Jlann unb tannin auSgeftattet I 

Safabitt, 

2)ie (Sf?riftert glauben mebr Strmfeltgfeiten, 

31IS baft fie b i e nid)t aucfy nod; glauben fonnten ! — 

Unb gIetd)toof)[ irrft bu bid;, — 3Me £empell)erren, 

890 3Me E^riften nid)t, finb fc£)iilb, finb, ni$t ate Sljriften, 
2tl3 Sempelljerren fcfmlb. SDurdE) bie aUein 
SBirb au3 ber ©a$e nidjts. ©ie frooCen Sicca, 
$Da§ 5ttd6arb3 ©cE>toefter unferm SBruber 2ttelel 
3um Srauifcfyaij bringen muftfe, fcfylecfyterbingS 

895 9ftdj?t fasten laffen. ©aft be§ fitters SBorteil 
©efaf)r nid^t laufe, tyielen fie ben Wonty, 
©en albern 3JWnc§. Unb ob fcteHetd&t im $luge 
Sin guter ©treid) gelange, fyahzn fie 
35e§ SOBaffenftttteftanbeS Slblauf laum 

900 Srtoarten fonnen. — Suftig I 3^ur fo toeiter! 

%i)x §erren, nur fo ftetter ! — 9Jlir fdfjon rec^t ! — 
28 ar' aHe3 fonft nur, toie e£ tniiftte. 

3fam? 

2Ba§ irrte bi<§ benn fonft? 2Ba§ lonnte fonft 
2)icfy au§ ber $affung bringen? 

Safabtit, 

23a£ t>on je 

905 9Jti$ immer au3 ber $affung ^t gebrad^t. — 
3$ tear auf Sibanon, bei unferm 23ater, 
©r unterliegt ben ©orgen nod; . . . 

Sitta^ 



2. 2Iuf3ug, 2. Sluftrttt. 53 

@r farm nidEjt burrf) ; e3 flemmt fief) aHer Drten ; 
g3 feE>rt balb ba, balb bort — 

2Sa§ Ilemmt? toa3 fetylt? 
<3alabtm 
910 98a§ fonft, al§ ft>a3 icfy laum §u nennen toiirb'ge? 
SBa3, toenn tcf)'3 fyabe, mir fo iiberftiif fig, 
Unb-fyab' id^S nid^t, fo unentbefyrlicE) fd^etnt. — 
2Bo bleibt 2Ik§aft benn? 3ft niemanb nad) 
3$m au3? — £)a§ leibtge, fc>ertounfd£)te ©elb ! — 
915 ©ut, §aft, baf$ bu fommft. 



<5tt>eiter Jluftritt. 

2) e r 3) e r to i j d) 2H * $ a f i. <S a ( a b i n, @ i 1 1 a !). 

2U=£afu 

3)tc ©elber au3 

SCgtypien finb bermutlid) angelangt. 

2B enn'S nur fein inel tft. 

(satabut, 

§aft bu 9?acl)rid)t? 

3>d? nidjt. $d) benfe, baft i$ ^ter fie in 
©mpfang foil nefymen. 

(Balabtu* 

3aI)I an ©ittafe taufenb 
920 3)inare ! 

(3n ©ebanfen f)in= unt> Ijergefyenb.) 



54 XTatfjanberlDetfe. 

3af)l! anftatt empfartg! D fcfyon! 
®a§ i(t fur toa£ nocfy toeniger al§ mcfyts. — 
2ln ©ittal)? — imeberum an ©tttafy? Unb 
SBcrlorcn? — fateberum im ©djacf) berloren? — 
5Da ftetyt e§ no$, ba3 ©piel! 

£)u gonnft mir bod) 
925 9ttem ©Hid? 

(ba§ Spiel betradjtenb). 
2Ba§ gonnen? 2Bemt — 3$r totftt ja toofyl. 

Stttaf) (tfjm roinfenb). 

33ft! £afi! bft! 

3H=&aft 

(no$ auf ba§ Spiel gertdjtet). 

©onrtt'3 ©ucf) nur felber erft ! 
3tU$aft, bft ! 

9U*$aft (au ©ttta§). 

SDte 2Beiften toaren @uer? 
3^r bietet ©$a$? 

©ut, ba§ er ni$t3 gefyori! 

3U=#aft. 

9fam ift ber gug an ifym? 

©tttfll) (i&m naljer tretenb). 

©0 fage bo$, 
930 ©af$ tcfy mem ©elb be!ommeu farm. 



2. :iuf3ug. 2* 2luftrttt. 55 

(nod) auf ba§ Spiel gcfjeftet). 

■ftun ja, 
3ifyr foKt'3 befommert, tote %t)T'$ ftets befommert. 

3tttalj. 

2Bie? bift bu tott? 

Da3 ©piel ift ja nidbt au§. 
2$r Babt ja rtid£)t fcerloren, Salabin. 

^alabilt (faum ^tnprenb). 

£ocb! bod^ ! 23ejabl ! bejaf>l! 

«l*$aft. 

Seja^l! 6eja$t! 

935 ® a fttfyt ja Gure £i3rtigtn. 

Stalabut (nocf> fo). 

©ilt nidjt ; 

©ef)5rt nicbt mefyr in§ Spiel. 

Sittaf). 

©o mad^ unb fag, 

35a£ idf) ba§ ©elb mir mir farm bolert laffen. 

«£$aft 
(nodj unmet in ba§ Spiel bertieft), 

33erfte§t ficfy, fo tote immer. — SScnn audE) fdE)on, 
23erm audE) bic Konigin nt$t§ gilt : %hx feib 
940 £)odE) barum no$ ntdjt matt. 

(5alabin 

(tritt fyingu unb nrirft ba§ Spiel urn). 

$cfy bin e3, hrill 

@§ fein. 



56 Haitian berrDetfe. 

5U£afu 

$ja fo ! — Spiel tote ©etoinft ! ©o tote 
©etoonnen, fo bejafylt. 

(galabin (&u <suta&). 

2Ba§ fagt er? toa§? 

©tttalj 

(loon Sett ju Sett bent §aft toinfenb). 

®u lennft iljn ja. @r ftraubt fid; gern, lafet gem 
©icfy bitten, ift toofyl gar ein toenig neibifd). — 

Satabitt. 
945 2Iuf bic^> bodf) ni(f)t? 3luf meine Sdfytoefter nicfyt? — 
2Ba§ fyor' id&, §afi? SRexbif dE> ? 3)u? 

$ann fein! 
$ann fein ! — 3$ W^ $ x §^ rn ^°^ ^ e ^ er f et ^/ 
SDBar' lieber felbft fo gut ate fie. 

©tttal), 

Snbeg 

§at er bocfy immer rid^tig nod) bejafylt, 
950 Unb toirb aud; fyeuf Bejafylen. 2af$ tf;n nur! — 
©ety nur, 3n*$afi, gefy ! %$ toiff ba§ ©elb 
©cfyon fjolen laffen. 

2K=£aft, 

Sftein, icfy fyiele langer 
©ie SJhnnmerei nid)t mit. @r mu£ e§ bo$ 
@inmal erfafyren. 

©alabitn 
2Ber? unb toas? 



2. 2Iuf3ug. 2. 2Inftrttt. 57 

3H*£afi! 

955 3ft btefe^ bein SSerf^rcd^cn? §alift bu fo 

9J?tr SBBort? 

«fc£itft. 

3Bie fonnt' id£) glauben, ba£ e§ fo 
2Beit geljen toiirbe. 

@afabht« 

Rim? erfafyr' idj ntcfjtS? 

©tttal). 

3$ bitte bid), 2ll=§afi, fei befcfjetben. 
Salabtit* 

£)a3 tft bod^ fonberbar! SSa§ fonnte ©tttafy 
960 So feierlidb, fo toavm bet einem ^remben, 
93et einem Sertoifd) lieber al£ bet mir, 
33ei ibrem ©ruber, fid) berbitten tooHen. 
W^aji, nun befell' id). — 3iebe, Sertoifd)! 

©tttalj, 

2a£ eine $(einigfeit, mein ©ruber, btr 

965 %l\d)t nafyer treten, al3 fie toiirbig tft. 
3)u toetftt, idf) fyabe ju fcerfd&iebnen- Sftalen 
SMefelbe Summ' im @cba$ Don bir getoonnen. 
Unb toetl id) je£t ba§ GTelb nid)t notig I)abe, 
2BeiI jefct in £ap $affe bod? ba3 ©elb 

970 3lid)t eben aUju fyauftg ift, fo finb 

2)ie ^often fte^n geblieben. 2(ber forgt ' 

9iur mdE)t! 3$ h>iH fie toeber bir, mein ©ruber, 

SJtocfy §afi, nod) ber $affe fd^enfen. 

2tt=£afl 



3*/ 



2Benn'3 ba3 nur toare! ba3! 



58 ZTatfjan ber IPetfe. 

Unb mebr bergletcfyen. — 
975 3tudE) ba§ ift in ber Saffe ftefyn geblieben, 
2Ba§ bu mir etnmal auSgetoorfert, ift' 
©ett toenig Sflonben fteljrt geblieben. 

m$t alleS. 

(Satabin. 

9?ocf) mctyt? — SBirft bu reben? 

5tt=£aft. 

©eit au§ Stgfypten toir ba3 ©elb ertoarten, 
980 §at fie . . . 

(Btttaf) foil ealabin). 

2Boju ifyn fyoren? 

5tl=§afu 

JJicfyt nur ni$t3 

Selommen . . . 

Salabitt, 

©ute3 SSJiabd^en! — 2tuc§ Better 
3Mit ; borgefd)offen. SKtd&t? 

2tt=£afu 

Sen ganjen §of 

Straiten; Suern 2{ufft)anb ganj aHein 

Seftritten. 

(Sainton, 

£>a! ba£, ba3 ift meine ©c^toefter ! 

(Ste umarmenb.) 
eitta^ 

985 SBer fyattt, bie§ ju fonnert, midfj fo rei$ 
©emacfyt ate bu, mein 33ruber? 



2. 2luf3ug. 2. aiuftritt. 59 

2a=£afi. 

2Birb f$on and) 
©o bettelarm fie toieber madden, aU 
@r felber ift. 

Salabttt. 

3d) arm? ber Sruber arm? 
2Benn fyaV id) mefyr? toenn toeniger gebabt? — 
99 o Sin RUxi, @in ©d&toert, ©in $ferb — unb (Sinen ©ott! 
2Ba§ braucfj' ic£> mefyr? 933 enn faring an bem mir fefylen? 
Unb bodf), Sll^afi, fonnf id) mit bir fdjelten. 

©tf)ilt nid&t, mein 33ruber. 2Benn id) unferm SSater 
Stud^ feine ©orgen fo erletd^tern fonnte ! 

Salabttu 

995 211) ! 211) ! 5JJun f d)lagft bu meine greubigfeit 
2luf einmal toieber nieber ! — 3JJir, fur midE) 
gefylt m$t§, unb lann ni$t§ fefylen. 2tber ifym, 
3$m fetylei, unb in il)m un§ alien. — ©agt, 
3S3a^ foil id; madden? — 2lu3 2Igt)pten fommt 

iooo 35ielleirf)t nod) lange nitf)t3. SBoran ba£ liegt, 
SBeift ©ott. @£ ift bod) ba nocfy aHe§ rul)tg. — 
aibbrec^en, einjiefm, fpatm toil! tcfy gem, 
SUiir gem gefaUen laffert, toenn e£ mid), 
Sloft mtdji betrtfft, bloft mtdj, unb niemanb fonft 

1005 3)aruntet leibet. — £)od) toa3 lann ba§ madden? 

©n ^Jferb, ©in $Ietb, (Sin ©dfjtoert muft idE) bod) I)aben. 
Unb meinem ©ott ift and) nid)t$ qi&ubingen. 
2$m g'ntigt fd^on fo mit toenigem genug, 
9JJit meinem §erjen. — 2tuf ben Uberfcfyuft 

1010 3Son beiner $affe, §afi, I)att' id) fel)r 
©erecfynet. 



60 Hatfyanberttfetfe. 

lXberf tfmfc? — ©agt felber, ob 
Sfyr mi$ nicfyt Ejdttet fpte^en / Vuenxgften^ 
3Jitcf) broffeln laffert, tt)enn auf Uberfdmft 
3<f) Don @ud) toar' ergrtffen ioorben. $a, 
1015 2luf Unterftf)Ieif! ba§ tear ju toagen. 

5Kun, 

2Ba3 madden fair bemx aber? — ^onnteft bu 

SSorerft bet niemanb anbern borgen a(3 

Set ©ittaf)? 

©tttat). 

SXCilrb' tcb biefe§ SSorred^t, 33ruber, 
SCTltr fyahm nefymen laffcn? 3Jttr fcon il)m? 
1020 2Iud^ nod? beftefy' \§ brauf. 5fto$ bin id) auf 
®em Srocfnen fcotlig ntd^t. 

6alabitt, 

5Rur fcollig nicfyt! 
2)a§ fefylte nod)! — ©el) gleitf), ntacf) 2tnfialt, §afi! 
JJtmm auf, bei toem bu fanrtft! unb tote bu fannft! 
©el), borg, fcerfyrtcb. — %l\\x, £afi, borge nicfyt 
1025 Set benen, bie id) retcf) gemacfyt. 3)enn borgen 
3Son biefen, mocfyte toieberforbern ^et^en. 
©el) ju ben ©etjtgften; bie toevben tmr 
3lm Itebften leiljen. Qtnn fie toiffen toofyl, 
2Sie gut tl)r ©elb in meinen §anben toucfyert. 

103° 3$ ^nne *> eren ^ ne * 

®hm faat 
5ftir ein, ge^ort ju I)aben, §afi, ba£ 
3)ein greunb juritcfgefommen. 



2. 2tuf3ug. 2. 21uftritt. 61 

5((=§afi (betroffen). 

greunb? tnein greunb? 
SBer toar' berm ba§? 

3)ein fyodjgeprtef'ner ^ u ^» 

2H=§aft, 

©eprief'ner 2>ube? I)od; t>on mtr? 

S)em ©oit, — 
1035 5TRtc^> benlt be§ 2Iuebruc!3 nod) red^t tootyl, be3 einft 
3)u felber bidj bon t(jm bebienteft, — bem 
@ein ©ott bon alien ©titern biefer SJBeft 
2)aS fleinft' unb grofete fo in boflem 9JJaf$ 
©rteilct fyabe. — 

©agt' idj fo? — 28a3 meint' 
1040 S^ ^ enn bamit? 

©a§ Heinfte: ^eidrtum. Unb 
SDaS grofcte: SBeiSfyeit. 

3Sie ? bon etnem guben? 
3Son etnem $uben 6Stf idjj ba3 gefagt? 

©ittal). 

£)a3 fyatteft bu bon betnem 9tatban ntcfyt 
©efagt? 

8K*$aft. 
^a fo ! Don bem ! bom 9?atfyan ! — gtel 
1045 3K^ ker k°$ S ar n ^^ ^- — 2Bafyrl)aftig? S)er 



62 HatfyanberlDetfe. 

3ft enblid) toieber fyetm gelommen? Si! 
©o mag'S bod) gar fo fd)ted)t mit iljm nicfyt ftefyn. — 
©anj recfyt: ben nannV einmal ba§ SBolf ben SSeifen ! 
2)en ^eidEjen audi). 

©tttalj, 
SDen S^etd^en nennt e§ iljn 
1050 3 e £t mefyr al8 je. £)ie ganje ©tabt erfdjaUt, 
2Ba£ er fiir $ofibarfeiten, toa§ fiir ©dba^e 
@r mttgebracfyt. 

3tt=§afi. 

9iun, ift'3 ber 9tei#e . toieber, 
©0 toirb'S audj tootyl ber 3Beife toieber fein. 

28a3 meinft bu, §afi, toenn bit btefen angingft? 

1055 Unb toa§ bet tfym? — $)od) toofyl nid?t borgen? — $ja, 
5Da lennt 2$r tfyn. — @r borgen ! — ©eine 2Bei^eit 
3ft eben, bafc er memanb borgt. 

©ittaf). 

$11 ^aft 

9ftir fonft bocfy gang em artber SBilb Don ifym 
©emacfyt. 

»fc$afu 

3ur 5Kot ftirb er @ud£) 23aren borgen. 

1060 @elb aber, ©elb? ©elb nimmermefyr. — ©3 ift 
(Sin 3 u ^ e fretttcfy iibrigem?, faie'3 nid^t 
SSiel guben giebt. gr fyat SBcrftanb ; er toeife 
3u leben, tytelt gut ©cf)ad^. 3)od; jetdmet er 
3m ©djlecfyten fid) ntd^t minber aU im ©uten 

1065 3Son alien anbcrn 3 u ^ en au ^. — SCvif ben, 



2. 2luf3ug. 2. tfuftrttt. 63 

2luf ben nur rennet nidE>t. — ©en Slrmen giebt 
@r %toax, unb giebt iuettei6t'troi$ Salabtn, 
2Benn fd^on nicfyt gan$ fo toiel, bod^ ganj fo gem, 
2)o$ ganj fo fonber 2InfeEm. Sub' unb Gfyrtft 
1070 Unb Sftufelmann unb $arfi, atte3 ift 
3fym ein£. 

©tttalj. 
Unb fo ein SSJfann . . . 

Salabht. 

SSie fommt e£ benn, 

2)a§ idj t>on biefem Sftanne nie gefyort? . . . 

2)er foHte ©alabin nid£)t borgen? nic^t 
S)em ©alabin, ber nur fur anbre braud^t, 
1075 Sftfcfct fief)? 

S)a f eE>t nun gteid) ben ^uben Vx>ieber, 
3)en ganj gemeinen ^uben ! — ©(aubt mir'3 bodf) ! — 
@r ift auf3 ©eben lv eudf) fo eiferfudjtig, 
@o neibifcf)! 3ebe§ So §11 Don ©ott, bag in 
©er 2Belt gefagt toirb, jog ? er lieber ganj 

1080 2lUein. 9Zur barum ^n leifjt er feinem, 
©amit er ftets $u geben fyahz. 2SeiI 
®ie SRilb' ifym im ©efei$ geboten, bie 
©efatligfeit t£?m aber nidjt geboten, tnacfyt 
Sic $R\W ityn ju bem ungefalligften 

1085 ©efetten auf ber SSelt. 3^ ar & n t$ f e ^ 
©eraumer 3 e ^ e ™ toenig iibem gu£ 
9Jtit ibm gefyannt; bodf) benlt nur nid&t, baft id? 
3fym barum nid)t ©erecf)tigfeit erjeige. 
@r ift ju atlem gut, bloft baju ni$t, 



64 Hainan berlPetfe. 

1090 93(of; baju tt>a^rlic^ tud&t. 3$ toitf au $ 9^ 
9?ur gefyn, an cmbre S^iiren flopfen . . . 2) a 
33eftnn' td) mtdf) foeben etne§ ^Jttofyren, 
2)er reicf) unb geijig tft. — 3$ Q*fy\ t$ 9 e ^« 

2Ba§ ciift bu, ©aft? 

©alabuu 

£a£ tfyn! Iafe tfm! 



Dritter tfuftrttt. 

©tttalj. @ a la bin. 

SttiaJj, 

©It 

1095 @r bodj, ate ob er mir nur gem entfame ! — 
2Ba3 fyetfet ba§? — §at er Vutrflid^ fic^> in ifym 
33etrogen, ober — mocfyt' er un$ nur gern 
93etriegen? 

Salabtn, 

SBte? ba£ fragft bu mid)? %<$ toetfr 
3 a faum, bon toem bie 3tebe tear, unb I)6re 
1 100 3Son euerm guberf, euerm 9?atljan fyeut' 
3um erftenmal. 

Si&ty. 
3ft'8 moglirf;? ba& ein SJtann 
2)ir fo berborgen blieb, Don bem e3 fyetftt, 
@r fyabe ©alomon§ unb 35abib§ ©raber a -- 
@r'forfd;t unb totffe beren ©iegel burcfy 
1 105 ©in ma$ttge$, gefyetrneS 2Bort ju lofen? 



2. 2Iuf 3ug. 3. 2luftrt tt. 65 

2lus ifynen bring' er bann fcon gett ju $ett 
„ 2)te unermefclicfyen SReid^tiimer an 
©en £ag, bie feinen minbern Quell fcerrieten. 

Salabin. 
§at feinen 9teid)tum biefer 9Rann au$ ©rabern, 
mo ©o toaren'3 fidjerlicf) nicbt Salomon^, 
9iicbt 3)at)ib§ ©raber. barren lagen ba 
Segraben ! 

Dber 935f ctoic^tcr ! — 2tu$ 

$ft feinen 3ietdj)tum$ Quelle toeit ergtebiger, 

2Beit imerfcbopfltcfyer aU fo ein ©rab 

1115 SBoII Sftammon. 

<Salabitt» 

SDenn er fyanbelt, tote icf) fyorte. 
©ittai,. _ ^ 

©ein ©aumtter ireibt auf alien ©trafcen, jiefyt 

®urd) alle SSJiiften; feine ©cfyiffe liegen 

^n alien §afen. 3)a§ hat mir toobl ef) 

2lls§afi. felbft gefagt unb fc>oll ©ntjitcfen 
1 120 §utjugefugt, tote .grog, toie ebel biefer 

©ein greunb dntoenbe, toa3 fo Hug unb emfig 

@r ju ertoerben fur ju ftein nidf)t adf)te ; 

§injugefitgt, toie frei toon 35orurtei(en 

©ein ©etft, fein §er$ toie offen jeber £ugenb, 
1125 2Bie eingeftimmt mil jeber ©rf)5nfjeit fei. 

Salabitt. 

Unb je$t faracf) §aft bod^ fo ungetoi^, 

©0 fait fcon ti)m. 

(Bittaf). 

Rait nun toobl nid^t; berlegen. 
2113 fyalt' er'£ fiir gefafyrlicb, ifyn ju loben, 



66 Zl a tl\ an ber IDeife. 

Unb tooW tfm unberbient bodj and) ntdEjt tabeln. — 
1 130 28te? ober Wax' e£ totrflidE) fo, bafc felbft 
£)er Sefte femes Soiled feinem SSoIfe 
9itd)t ganj entflieljen lann? bafc totrllid^ ficfy 
2U=£)afi feirte^ $reunb£ toon biefer ©ette 
3u fcfyamen fyatte? — ©et bem, tote tfym tooHe! — 
1135 3)er 3jub', fet tnefyr ober toeniger 

21(3 3jub', ift ^ nur retcfy: genug fur un§! 

©alafcuu 
£)u toiHft ifjm aber borf) ba§ (Seine nut 
©etoalt nid^t nefymen, ©cfytoefter? 
©tttai), 

Set bit ©etoalt? 5DKt geu'r unb ©d)toert? 9?ein, nein, 
1 140 2Ba§ braudbt e3 bei ben ©cfytoacfyen fur @etoalt 
2113 ibre ©dE)toa$e? — Somm fur je£t nur mtt 
ijn meinen §aram, eine ©angertn 
3u fyoren, bte id) geftern erft gefauft. > 
S3 retft inbefe bet mtr DxeHexd^t em ainfd^Iag, 
1 145 SDen id) auf biefen Wafyan fyabz. — Somm! 



Pterter" 2luftritt. 

Scene: t>or bem §aufe be§ Dlatfyan, mo e§ an bte batmen ftfl&t. 
died) a unb 91 at I) an lommen Ijeraus. 3 U ^ nen ®aj[a» 

*fietf|a. 
Sfyr fyabt @nd) fc^r fcertoeilt, mem 33ater. @r 
2Btrb faum nodf> mefyr ju treffen fein. 

^atljan. 

^un, nun; 

2Benn F>ter, fyter untern ^Salmen fcfyon ntcfyt mefyr, 



2. 21 u f 3 n g. 4. 21 u f t r 1 1 1. 67 

2)od) ctnbertoartS. — Set je|t nur rubtg. — ©telj! 
1150 $ommt bort nicbt ©aja auf un3 ju? 

metfia. 

©ie Votrb 

3#n gan$ getoi^ berloren (jaben. 

2luc$ 
2Sof)I mc$t. 

©ie toiirbe fonft gefdjtoinber fommen. 

©ie fyat un§ toofyl nodf) nicbt gefefm . . . 

5Run fieE>t 

©ie un§. 

*Ratl)an, 

Unb boppelt ifyre ©$ritte. ©iefy! — 
1155 ©ei bo$ nur rufyig ! ruljig ! 

SBolItet gfor 
2Bofyl eine Softer, &ie E?ter rufyig mdre ? 
©id) unbefiimmert licfee, toejfen 23obltbat 
3$r Seben fei? %bx Seben, — ba3 ibr nur 
©0 Iieb, toeil fie e3 @ud) juerft fcerbanfet. 

1 160 gd; modE)te bic^> nid^t anbere, aU bu bift, 
%u<i) menu id) toii^te, baft in beiner ©eele 
©anj ettoaS anbreS nod) fid) rege. 

3Ba§, 

SJtein Sater? 



68 Hainan berlDetfe. 

<Katljatt. 

gragft bu mi$? fo fd)iitf)tern micfy? 
2Ba§ aud) in beinem 3 nriern ^orge^t, ift 
1 165 9tatur unb Unfd&ulb. £a£ e§ leine ©orge 
Sir macfyen. W\x, mir mad;t e§ leine. 9?ur 
SSerf^rtd^ mir: toenn bein §erg bernefymlicfyer 
©icf) einft erffart, mir feiner 2Bitnf$e leinen 
3it Bergen, 

©$on bie SDWglid&feit, mein §erj 
1 170 @u$ lieber ju ber^iillen, macfyt mtd) jtttern. 

yi\d)t$ mefyr Ijierfcon ! 3)a3 eius fur atlemal 
3ft abgetfyan. — ©a ift ja £>aja. — 9Zun? 

5iocf) toanbelt er E^ier untern ^alrnen unb 

2Birb gletd) urn jene 9Jiauer fommen. — ©efyt, 

1175 35a lommt er ! 

dlttiia. 

211) ! unb fcfyeinet unentfc^Ioffen, 

2BoI)in? ob toeiter? ob I)inab? ob red)t£? 

Db Iini8? 

!Kem, nein ; er mad)t ben SSeg um§ Softer 
©emift nod) ofter, unb bann mu£ er I)ier 
SBorbeu — SBBa8 flilt'8? 

Wtti\a. 

Sftedjt ! rec^t ! — Jpaft bu tl)n fcfyon 
1180 ©efyrocfyen? Unb toie ift er E)eut T ? 

SSie immer. 



2. Z(uf3ug. 5. 2Iuftritt. 69 

©o macfyt nur, baft er eudEj bier nicfyt getoafyr 

SBirb. £retet mebr juriicf. ©ebt lieber ganj 

fitnein. 

3Ked>a. 

•Kur einen SBIicf nod) ! — 2tE> ! bie §edEe, 

3)ie mtr ifyn ftiefylt. 

Somittt! lommt! 3)er 33ater t)at 
1 185 ©anj redjt. gfyr lauft ©efafyr, toenn er ©utf) fieljt, 
2)aj$ auf ber ©tell' er umfefyrt. 

2l£> ! bie §ecfe ! 

Unb fommt er plo^lidj} bort au£ if)r fyerfcor, 
©0 lann er anber§ nidjt, er mu$ eudt) fefyn. 
S5rum geljt bodj nur ! 

£ommt! fommt! $$ toeift eingenfter, 
1 190 2lu§ bem fair fie bemetfen fonnen. 

3a? 

(Setbe f)inein.) 



tffinfter tfuftrttt, 

SRatfyan mtb balb barauf ber X e m p e 1 1) e r r. 

gaft fctyeu' id? micfy be£ ©onberlingS. gfaft mad^t 
Uftd; feine raulje £ugenb ftufen. 2)aft 
@m SKenfc^ bocf) einen Sttenfcfyen fo fcerlegen 
©oil madden fonnen ! — §a ! er lommt. — Sei ©ott ! 



70 Hattjan ber IDetfe. 

1195 @in bungling tote em SUlann. $dE) mag tfyn toofyl, 
2)en guten, tro^ r gen Slid ! ben braden ©ang ! 
2)ie ©cfyale fann nur bitter fein, ber $ern 
Sft'S ficfyer nicf)t. — 28o faf) id) bod) bergleicfyen? — 
SSergei^et, ebler granfe . . . 

2Ba3? 

©rlaubt . . . 
SempeUjerr. 
1200 3Ba3, Sube? toag? 

©aft id> mid? unterfteb', 
©ud) anjureben. 

Sempettjerr. 
®ann td&'S toefyren? 2)ocfy 
9iur furj. 

Xfttytut. 
SBerjiefyt, unb eitet ni$t fo ftolj, 
9tt$t fo &era$tli$ einem 3JJann fcoritber, 
©en ^t)r auf etoig @udj fcerbunben fyabt. 

Xtmpttytxv. 

1205 2Bie baS? 211), faft crrat' icfy'g. 9ftcfyt? g^r feib . . . 

9?atfjatt. 

3d; fyeifte 9?atf)an, bin beg 9J?abd)eng 93ater, 
Sag dure ©roftmut aug bem geirr gerettet, 
Unb lomme ... 

Sempelljerr. 
SSenn ju banfen, — fpart'S ! $$ ^B' 
Urn biefe $letmgfeit beg S)anfe8 f$on 



2. 21 u f 3 u g. 5. 21 n ft tit t. 71 

1210 $u t>tel erbulben mufjen. — SSoffenbs %t)t, 

%bx feib mir gar m$t§ fcfrulbig. 2Bu£t' id? benn, 
2>aj3 biefe» 3Rab<$en (Sure loiter toar? 
@3 ift ber £em!pelberren SPflid&t, bem erften, 
©em beften betjufyringen, beffen 3lot 

1215 ©ie fefyn. 3Rein Seben tear mtr ofmebem 
3>n biefem 2lugenblicfe taftig. ©ern, 
©el)r -gem ergriff id) bie ©elegenfyeit, 
@3 fiir em anbreS Seben in bie ©djange 
$u fd^lagen, fiir ein anbre£, — toemt'g aucfy nur 

1220 2Da§ Seben einer gubin toare. 

©rofe! 
©roft unb abfd?euttd> ! — £)odf) bie SBenbung lafet 
©i$ benfen. 2>ie befcfyeibne ©rdfte fIiidE)tet 
©i$ binter ba£ Slbfcbeulictye, urn ber 
23eft>unb'rung auejufteidjen. — 2lber toenn 

1225 ©ie fo ba§ Dpfer ber Setounberung 

33erfd)tnaf)t, toa§ fiir ein Dpfer benn berf$ma§t 
©ie mtnber? — fitter, toenn l^fyr f)i er n id>* fremb 
Unb nidE)t gefangen tearet, toixxV icfy Sucb 
©0 breift nicf)t fragen. ©agt, befefylt, toomit 

1230 Kami man @ud? bienen? 

Sentyelljenr. 

$f>r? SWit nid&». 



gin reiser 9Jtann. 

£)er reid^e ^ u ^ e ^ ar 
9tttr nie ber beffre %ubz. 



3$ bin 



72 HatfjanberlDeife. 

3)iirfi 3$r benn 
3)arum nic^t niit$en, toa§ bemungeacfytet- (^ 
@r 33effre§ fyat? ntcfyt feinen ^eid^tum nii^en? 

1235 ?Jun gut, ba§ VotCC id) aucfy nicfyt ganj berreben; 
Urn meine£ 9Jtantel3 ttntten nicfyt. ©obalb 
©er ganj unb gar t) erf cb I iff en, toeber ©ttclj - *^ **' f 
yiotf) getje Idnger fyalten Vx>iH, fomrn' tcfy 
Unb borge mir bet @utf) ju einem rteuen 

1240 %\x<fy obcr ©elb. — ©ef)t ntcfyt mtt ein3 fo ftnfter! 
Sftodjj feib 3$r fidjer ; nocfj iff 3 nid^t fo h>eit 
3Rxt ifym. %t)x fefyt, er ift fo jiemltcfy nocfy 
^m ©tanbe. 9iur ber cine Btyf^-feft^ 
§at einen garft'gen %Ud) er ift berfengt. 

1245 Unb ba§ befam er, al8 id? Sure £od£)ter 
2)urd)3 getter trug. 

^at^att 
(ber natf) bem Stpfel gretft unb tt)n betracfytet). 
@3 ift bodj fonberbar, 
©af$ fo ein bofer $lecf, ba£ fo ein SBranbmal 
2)em SRann ein beff're$ 3 eu 3™3 re ^ et a ^ 
©ein eigner -JJlunb. $$ mod^t' x£?n fitffen gleitf) ■ — 

1250 ©en gtecfen ! — 2If>, t>ergeif>t ! — gcfy tljat e3 ungern. 

£em£elf)err* 

2Ba3? 

(Sine Sfyrane fiel barauf. 

Xem^eUjerr* 

Sfyut nicbtS ! 

@r fyat ber £ro£fen mefyr. — (SBalb aber fangt 
3JJicfy biefer ^ub' an ju fcertotrren.) 



2. 2luf3ug. 5. HnftrVtl 73 

2Bar't 
3$r toobl fo gut unb fd^itftet @uern 3JtanteI 
1255 2Iu$ cinmal meinem 9Jtab$en? 

XempeUjerr. 

SBaS bamit? 
SRatljan. 

Stud? ibren 9Jiunb auf biefen gletf ju briicfen. 
3)enn Sure Kniee felber ju umfaffen, 
2Bunf(f)t fie nun toofyl bergeben§. 

£em£elf)err* 

2lber, $ube — . 

2ftr fyet^et SRatyan? — 2Iber, SRat&an — 3&r 

1260 ©et$t @ure 2Borte feljr — fefjr gut — feljr fytfc — 

$dE) bin betreten — 2Werbing3 — \i) Ijcttte . . . 

^atfjatt, 
©tellt unb berfieHt @ud&, hrie $br toaHt. 3$ pnb' 
2lucfy f)ter @ud) au3. — ^fyr toar't ju gut, ju bteber, 
Urn Ijoflicfyer ju fein. — 2)a3 3Jttibd;en ganj 
1265 ©efiifyl, ber tx>eiblirf>e" ©efanbte ganj 

©ienftfertigfett, bev SSater toett entfernt — 
Sfyr trugt fiir ibren guten Seamen ©orge, 
gloljt iljre ^rufung, flofyt, urn nicbt 511 ftegen. 
2tucfy bafiir ban!' id) (Sucfy — 

Sem^elljerr* 

3d& muft geftefyn, 
1270 3#r totfet, tote Sem^elijerren benlen fottten. 

9?ur Sem^elberren? follten bloft? unb b!o£ 
3Beil e3 bie Drben3regeln fo gebieten? 



74 ZlatfyanberlDetfe. 

3$ toeifc, tone gute SJtenfcfyen benfen, tt>eijs, 
35aft atle Sanber gute SSJtenfdjen tragen. 

^em^ettjerr* 

1275 5Rit Unterfdjieb, bocfy fyoffentlicfy? 

$latf)an* 

2In garb', an ^letbung, an ©eftalt fcerfcfyieben. 
Slucf) I)ier balb mefyr, balb toeniger a(3 bort. 

9Jttt btefem Unterfcfjieb tft'S nicfyt tt>ext fyer. 

35er grofte SJlann brautf)t liberall Diet Soben, 
1280 Unb tnefyrere, ju nal) gepflanjt, jerfcfylagen 

©ic§ nur bie 3lfte. 3ttittelgut, n>ie toir, 

ginb't ftcf) fytngegen liberall in SCRenge. 

5J?ur muft ber etne nicfyt ben anbern maleln ; 

yinx muft ber $norr ben $nubben fyiibfcfy bertragen ; 
1285 9Jur muft ein ©ipfelcfyen fief) nic^t fcermeffen, 

©aft e§ attem ber ©rbe nidjt entfdEjoffen. 

Xtmpttytvx. 

©eljr toofyl gefagt! — ©0$ lennt $fyr aud) ba£ SSoII, 

©a3 biefe 9Jtenfcf)enmaIelei guerft 

©etrieben? 2Biftt Sfor, Jtatfyan, tt>eld&e8 SBoIf 

1290 3 uer ft ^ a ^ au§ertt)at)lte 3SoIf ficfy nannte? 

2Bie? toenn id) biefe§ SSoll nun, jtoar ni$t Ijaftte, 
©od) toegen feineS ©tolje^ ju beracfyten 
9JUd) nicfyt entbredjen fonnte? ©eineS ©toIje3, 
©en e§ auf ©fjrift unb SJtufelmann fcererbte, 

1295 9?ur fern ©ott fei ber recite ©ott! — gfyr fhifct/" 
©aft id), ein ©fyrift, ein £em!pelljerr fo rebe? 



2. 2Iuf3ug. 5. 2Iuftrttt. 75 

2Benn f)at, unb too bte fromme 9iaferei, 
£)en beffern ©ott ju f^aben, btefen beffern 
3)er ganjen SEBelt al§ beften aufjubringen, 
1300 %n tEyrer fd&toarjeften ©eftalt fief) mefyr 

©ejeigt aU f)ier, ate jei$t? SBem Ijier, toem jje^t 
Die ©djuppen nid^t bom 2tuge fallen . . . 35od& 
©et blinb, toer totH ! — 23ergej3t, toaS i$ gefagt, 

Ullb la^t mid) ! (SBiB ge^en.) 

§a! 3#r toifct ntrfjt, toie btel fefter 
1305 3$ nu ^ m ^ cm ®u$ brangen toerbe. — Slommt, 
2Sir miiffen, miiffen greunbe fein ! — SSerad^tet 
gjiein SBoH, fo fef)r ^br toollt. 2Btr f>aben beibe 
Un3 unfer 33oH nid;t auserlefen. ©inb 
ffiir unfer SBoH? 23a3 ^eifet beroi SBoH? 
1310 ©inb Shrift unb 3 u ^ e e ^ er Shrift unb ^ube 
2U§ 3Kenfd) ? 21E) ! toenn icfy einen mebr in Sud) 
©efunben ^atte, bem e* g'niigt, em SJienfcfy 
3u fyeifsen! 

ga, bei ©ott, ba3 fyabt g$r, 9?atf)an! 
SDa3 fyaht g^r! — @ure.§anb ! — gdb fcfyame mtd&, 
1315 @u$ einen 2lugenblid fcerfannt ju Ijaben. 

9?atyait. 

Unb id? bin ftblg barauf. 9lur ba§ ©emeine 
3Serlennt man felten. 

Xtmpttytxv. 

Unb ba§ ©eltene 
gSergi^t man fcfytoerlidE). — %latban, ja ; 
2Bir miiffen, miiffen greunbe toerben. 



76 Haitian ber ttJetfe. 

©inb 
1320 @3 fd^on. — 2Bte totrb fid) metne S^ed^a freuen ! 
Unb at) ! toelcty eine Retire gerne fcfyliejjt 
<Std^ metnen SBKcIen auf ! — $ennt fie nur erft ! 

Xentpenjerr, 

3$ brenne Dor 93ertangen. — 2Ber ftilrjt bort 
2Iu3 (Suerm §aufe? Sft'8 rtid^t ifyre ©aja? 

1325 S a tob^I. ©° angftlicf)? 

Setttyelljerr* 

Unfrer 9ie$a tft 
©od) ni$ts begegnet? 



Sedjfter 2tuftritt. 
2) i e $ r i g e n unb 2) a j a eilig* 

$aja, 

SRatyan! 9?atf>an! 

Maim- 

SKun? 

SBerjeifyet, ebler Slitter, baft icfy @u$ 
9Jiu| unterbrecfyen. 

9fam, toai tft'8? 

Sempetyerr. 

2Ba3 tjl'8? 



2. 2luf3ug. 7, Sluftrttt. 77 

£)er ©ultan I)at gcfd^idCt. £er Sultan toiff 
1330 Su$ fyrecfyen. ©ott, ber ©ultan ! 

2Jtt$? ber ©ultan? 
@r toirb begterig fern, ju feben, toa3 
%d) SReueS mitgebracfyt. ®ag nur, e3 fei 
9?odE) toenig ober gar m$td au^gepacft. 

£aja. 
;Kein, new; er toil! mcfyts fefyen, toil! @udf) tyredjen, 
1335 @ud) in ^erfon, unb balb, fobalb 3$r fount. 

Rati** 

I^cfy toerbe lommen. — ©el) nur toteber, gel) ! 

9?el)mt ja m$t ubcl auf, geftrenger fitter — 
©ott, h)ir finb fo befitmmert, toa3 ber Sultan 
2)o$ h>iff. 

£)a3 frurb fid; jetgen. ©el) nur, gel)! 



Stebenter Jtuftritt. 
W a 1 I) a n imb ber £ e m p e 1 1) e r r. 

Sempettjen*. 

1340 ©0 lennt 3$r il)n no$ ni$t? — itf) meine, t)on 
$erfon. 

£)en ©alabin? Sftod) nid)t. 3$ fyabe 
Sfyn nid^t fcermieben, nid)t gefud^t ju lennen. 



78 Hainan ber IP eife. 

©er affgemeine 9tuf fpra$ fciel ju gut 
33on tfym, ba£ t$ nid^t lieber glauben toollte 
1345 2tl§ fefyn. ©otf) nun — toenn anber£ bem fo ift 
§at er burcfy ©parung 6ure3 2eben3 . . . 



3a, 



Setttyelljerr. 

©em afterbingS ift fo. S)a3 2eben, ba3 
3d& leb', ift fein ©efd&enf. 

Watfian. 

35ur$ ba§ er mir 
@in boppelt, breifacfy 2thzn fcfyenfte. 2)ie3 

1350 §at aHe§ jtoifc^en un§ fceranbert, fyat 
•Kit ein3 ein ©eil mir umgetoorfen, ba§ 
W\fy feinem ©ienft auf etoig feffelt. $aum, 
Unb laum, Icmn i$ e§ nun ertoarten, toa§ 
©r mir juerft befefylen toirb. $$ 6in 

1355 Sereit ju allem, bin bereit, il)m ju 
©efteljn, baft i$ e§ ©urettoegen bin. 

Nod) f)aV id) felber ifym nidfyt banlen fonnen, 
©0 oft id) and) tfym in ben SBeg getreten. 
©er ©inbrurf, ben id) auf ifyn mad;te, fam 

1360 ©0 fcfmeft, aU fd;neft er toteberum toerfcfyftmnben. 
2Ber toeife, ob er fidE) meiner gar erinnert. 
Unb bennod) muft er, einmal ti>cmgften§, 
©id) meiner nod) erinnern, urn mem ©dndfal 
©anj ju entfcfyeiben. 3l\tf)t genug, baft id; 

1365 2luf fein ©efyeift nod) bin, mit feinem SBitten 
%lod) leb' : id) mu| nun aud) Don ifym ertoarten, 
■ift act) toeffen SBitfen icf) ju leben ^abe. 






2. 2Iuf3ug. 7- 2Iuftrttt. 79 

^atfjan- 

3l\d)t anberg ; urn fo mefyr tr>ttt tdj nic^t faumen. — 
@g faftt bielleid^t cin 2Bort, bag mir, auf ®uc^ 
1370 3 U lommen, 2lnla£ gtebt. — Srlaubt, berjei^i — 
-3$ eile — SBerm, \vtnn aber fefjrt totr @ud) 
Set ung? 

©obalb i$ barf. 

©obalb $br toottt. 
£emt>ett)err. 
9fa$ §eut\ 

Unb Suer ?Jame? — mu^ i$ bitten. 

Sem^enjenr. 

9ftem 9tone toar — ift Surb Don ©tauffen. — Surb ! 

SRatijam 

1375 SSon ©tauffen? — ©tauffen? — ©tauffen? 

Xempelljerr, 

2Borum fattt 
@uc§ bag fo auf? 

Hatfynt, 

SBon ©tauffen? — ©e§ ©ef^ledjtg 
©inb iootyl fcfyon mefjrere . . . 

£empett)err* 

D ja! bier toaren, 
§ier faulen beg ©efcbleditg fd)on tnefyrere. 
9Jtein Dfyetm felbft, — mem SSater toil! idj fagen, — 



80 Hainan ber IDetfe. 

1380 3)o$ ftarum fcfyarft ftcfy @uer SBIic! auf tni$ 
ge mefyr unb mefyr? 

9ZatI)att. 

D ni$t§! ni$t§! 2Bie lann 
3$ @ud) ju fefyn ermiiben? 

Sempenjerr, 

©rum t>erlaff y*^ 

3$ @ud> juerft, 2)er Sticf be3 gorfd^erS fanb 
9?icbt felten mefyr, a(3 er ju ftnben toitnfcfyte. ^ .• H , 

1385 $cfy furcfyt' iijn, 5ftatljan. 2a^t bie $eit aftmablicb, 
Unb mdE)t bie Sfteugier, unfre $unbf$aft madden. 

(Gr 9 d)t.) 

Haitian 

(ber ifjm mtt Srftauneu nad)[iefyt). 

„©er gorfcfyer fanb nicfyt felten meljr, al£ er 
3u finben hmnfcfyte." — %\i e§ bo$, al§ ob 
%\\ meiner ©eel' er lefe ! — 2Bal)rlitf) ]a ; 

1390 3)a§ fonnt' aud) mir begegnen. — 9ft$t aftein 

2Bolf3 JBud^, 3BoIf^ ©ang : aucfy feine ©timme. ©0, 
25oH!ommen fo ftarf SBoIf fogar ben $opf, 
£rug 2BoIf fogar ba§ ©c^toert im Strm, firidE) SBoIf 
©ogar bie 2(ugenbraunen mit ber §anb 

1395 ©letcfyfain ba3 geuer feine£ ©liidS ju bergen. — 
2Sie folcbe tiefgepragte 33Uber bocf) 
. gu QdUn in un§ frf)Iafen fonnen, bt§ 
Gin 28ort, ein %aut fie ti>erft. — 3Son ©tauffen ! — 
©anj recfyt, ganj rec^t, gilne! unb ©tauffen. — 

1400 3$ toill ba3 balb genauer toiffen ; balb. 

SRur erft jum ©alabin. — 2)o$ ioie? laufcfyt bort 
9?icbt ©aja? — 9?un fo lomm nur nafyer, 35aja. 



2. 2X u f 3 u g. 8. 2Iuftritt. 81 

2t*ter 2Iufirttt 
3) a j a. Sfl a 1 f> a m 

*ttatf)atu 

2Ba§ gilt'§? nun britcft'3 eucf) beiben fcf)on bag §erj, 
9lod) ganj toa3 anbreS ju erfaljren, a(3 
1405 2Ba3 ©alabin mix tr>xll. 

SBcrbenft S&r'S i£)r? 
gbr fingt foeben an, bertraultcber 
Tlxt ibm ju fprecben, at* bee SuItanS 93otfd^aft 
Un§ t>on bem ^enfter fcbeucf)te. 

^atfjatt. 

9?un, fo fag 

2#r nut, ba£ fie xE>n jeben 2tugenblicf 
1410 Srtoarten barf. 

©etoij}? getoift? 
9?atf)atu 

3Jlid; bocf> auf btd^> Derlaffen, Saja? ©ei 
2Iuf beiner £ut, id) bitte bid). ©3 foil 
3M$ nid)t gereuen. ©em ©ettriffeit felbft 
©oft feine SRedjnung babei finben. %lm 
1415 3Serbirb mir ni$t§ in meinem *piane. ?Jur 
©rjafyl unb frage tntt SSefdjeibenfyett, 
3Rit Mdbali . . . 

©a£ 3Br bocfj nodfj erft fo toaS 
Srinncm fount! — 3$ get)'; gebt ^fyr nur aucfy. 
3)enn fefyt ! icb glaube gar, ba fommt bom Sultan 
1420 gin fetter Sot', 2ll*igafi, ©uer Sertoifd). 

(©el)t ab.) 




82 H at it an be r IP etfe. 

Heunter 2luftritt 
ftatljan. 3U*$afi. 

§a! fya! ju @udb toottt' icfy mm then toieber. 

gffg benn fo eilig? 2Ba§ fcerlangt er berm 
33on mir? 

28er? 

Wati)an> 

©alabin. — %<fy fomm', \<fy lomtne. 

3u toem? 3 um ©alabin? 

©cfyicft ©alabin 
1425 35id^ ni$t? 

SJiid)? nein. §at er benn fcfyon gefcfyicft? 

$a freilicfy fyat er. 

Stun, fo ift e§ ricfytig. 

*Rail)att, 

2Ba§? toa§ ift rid^tig? 

2)a£ — t$ bin ni$t fcfyulb ; 
©ott toei|, icfy bin nicfyt fd&ulb. — 23a§ ^ab' icf) nicfrt 
Son ©ucfy gefagt, gelogen, urn e§ abjutoenben! 



2, 2Juf3ug. 9. 2luftritt. 83 

1430 2Ba§ abjutoenben? 2Ba§ ift rid^tig? 

2a=£aft, 

£a£ 
•Kun 3#r fein Defterbar getoorben. 3$ 
Sebaur' Sud). 3)ocf) mit anfeljn toiH i$'3 nicfyt. 
$d& gey toon ©tunb an, gef)\ 2$r Ijabt e§ f$on 
©efyort, toofyin, unb toifet ben 2Beg. — §abt ^fyr 
1435 ® e ^ 3Beg§ toa§ ju BeftcHen, fagt ; id) bin 

£u 3)tenften. greilicf) mu£ eg mefyr nicf)t fein, 
2113 toa§ ein Waiter mit fief) fcfyleppen faun. 
3$ get)', fagt balb. 

Sefinn bic^ bod&, 2Il*§afi. 
33efinn bi$, ba§ idE) nod) toon gar nicfyt3 toeifj. 
1440 28a3 plauberft bu benn ba ? 

3$r bringt fie bo$ 
©teicfc mit, bie Seutel? 

Haitian. 

Seutel? 

9fom, ba3 ©elb, 
£)a3 $f)t bem ©alabtn toorfdfjieften foUt. 

Nafyan. 

Unb toeiter ift e3 nid£)t3? 

Sc^ foHt' e3 h)of)I 
3JJit anfefm, tote er @ud^ toon Stag ju Sag 



84 HatfyattberlDetfe. 

1445 2lugfyofylen h)irb big auf bie 3^en? ©ollt' 
©3 toofyl mit anfefyn, baft 33erfctoenbung aug 
®er toeifen 3JiiIbe fortft me leeren ©djeuern 
©0 lange borgt unb borgt unb borgt, big au$ 
©ie armen eingebornen 9J?aug$en brin 

1450 33erfmngern? — Stlbet $$r t)ielleidE)t @u$ ein, 
23er (Suerg ©elbg bebitrftig fei, ber toerbe 
2)ocfy @uerm 9?ate toofyl aucfy folgen? — Jja, 
@r State folgen! 2Benn fyat ©alabin 
©idfj raten laffen? — 35enlt nur, SRatfyan, toag 

1455 SCRtr eben je^t mit tfym begegnet* 

9?atf)att. 

9ton? 

35a fcrnm' idE? ju ifym, ^n baft er ©d;ad^ 

©efpielt mit fciner ©d&toefter. ©ittafy fpielt 

Sftid&t itbel, unb bag ©piel, bag ©alabin 

33erloren glaubte, fcfyon gegeben fyatte, 

1460 QaZ ftanb nod? ganj fo ba. $<f) fefy' @u$ fyin 

Unb feE>e, baft bag ©piel nodE) lange nid^t 

33erloren. 

matyan. 

@i! bag tear fiir bi$ ein $unb! 
9U=£aft. 
@r burfte mit bem $onig an ben Sauer 
5Jur riicfen, auf ityr ©cfyacfy. — SSenn icfy'g (gu$ gleicfy 
1465 9Jur getgen fonnte ! 

Sttafljatt. 
D, \6) traue bit! 

2tt*§afu 

Qtnn fo belam ber ^ocfye gelb, unb fie 



2. 2Juf3iig. 9. 2Juftrttt. 85 

2Bar f?in. — Sa3 aKe§ tx>iIX id) ifym nun toeifen 
Unb ruf ' i£)ti. — ©enft ! . . . 

@r ift nid)t beiner 9Jieinung? 

Sb$«fl. 

@r fyort micfy gar mcf)t an unb toirft t>erad)tlid) 
1470 2)a3 ganje ©piel in ^lumpen. 

9?atf)atu 

3ft ba3 moglicfj? 

Unb fagt : er tooHe matt nun einmal fcin ; 
@r toolle! §eiftt ba§ fyielen? 

©djtoerlid) toofyl ; 
§ei£t mit bem ©piele fptelen. 

2U=£aft. 

©leid&toofyl gait 
S3 leine taube 9?uft. 

% Sttatljan. 

©elb l)tn, ©elb l>er! 
1475 SDa3 ift ba§ toenigfte. 2tHein bidE) gar 
9fad)t anjufyoren! ixber einen $unft 
SSon folder 2Bicfyttgfeit bicfy nicf)t einmal 
3u fyoren ! beinen 2tblerblicf nicfyt ju 
Setounbern! ba3, ba3 fcE>reit urn 9tad)e; nicfyt? 

Hfc$afu 
1480 2ld^ toaS! 3$ fag' @ud) bag nur fo, bamit 
3$r fefyen -fount, toa§ fllr ein $opf er ift. 
$urj, i$, i$ fyalt'3 mit i^m md£)t langer au$. 
3) a lauf idb nun bei alien fdjmutj'gen 5ftol)ren 



86 Hatfyanber ID eife. 

§erum unb frage, toer tfym borgen toiE. 

1485 3$, ^ er *$ ™ e f^ r m ^ gebettclt Ejabe, 
©oil nun fiir anbre borgen. Sorgen ift 
SStel befjer nidjt alS betteln : fo lr>te leifyen, 
2Iuf 2Bucf)er leifyen, nicfyt triel Beffer ift 
2ll§ ftefylen. Untcr meinen ©fyebern, an 

1490 ©em ©ange§, braucfy' id) bethel md&t unb braucfye 
3)a3 2Berfjeug beiber mcfyt ju fein. 3tm ©ange§, 
21m ©ange3 nur giebt'g 5IRenfd)en. £>ier feib 3#r 
35er einjtge, ber nocf) fo toitrbig todre, 
£)aft er am ©ange§ lebte. — SBoEt $f)r mit? — 

1495 Sa^t ifym mit ein£ ben ^limber ganj im ©ticfye, 
Urn ben e3 iljm ju tfyun. @r brtngt @ud) nad) 
Unb nacf) bo$ brum. ©0 tear' bie ^laderei 
2tuf einmal au3. gd) fd)aff ©u$ einen Self. 
Sommt! fommt! 

3^ bad^te jtoar, ba3 blteb' un§ ja 
1500 5Rod) immer iibrig. ®o$, 2lls§afi, toitl 
3^8 iiberlegen. 23arte . . . 

3K=§aft. 

iiberlegen? 
SRettt, fo toa3 iiberlegt fid) nicfyt. 

Statfyw. 

Slur bi§ 

3$ bon bem ©ultan toieberfomme, bi§ 
3$ 2Ibf3>ieb erft . . . 

SSer iiberlegt, ber fud&t 
1505 33etoegung3grunbe, ntd&t ju biirfen. SBer 

©id) Snail unb gall, tfym felbft ju leben, nicbt 



2. 21uf3ug> 9. 2luftrttt. 87 

©ntfcfylieften fcmn, ber lebet anbver ©Hat)' 

3luf immcr. — 2Bie g^r tootti ! — Sebt toofyl! toie'3 @udj 

2Bofyl bunft. — 9Jkin SBeg liegt bort, unb (Surer ba. 

1510 2tl*§afi! 2)u toirft felbft bod) erft ba3 Seine 
33eric^tigen? 

3td& ^offen ! 3)er Seftanb 
33on meiner Raff' ift nitf)t bes gafylen^ toert; 
Unb nteine 9te$nung burgt — gfyr ober ©ittab. 
Sebt tootyl! aa&.) 

^atl)att (i§m na^fe^enb). 

5Die bitfg' i$! — SBtlber, guter, ebler — 
1515 2Bie nenn' icfy tfrn? — £)er toafyre Settler ift 
3)o$ einjig unb atlein ber toafyre $onig! 

(Son enter anbern Seite ab.) 



3xxthx Jlufpig. 



(Erfter Jluftritt. 

Scene: in *ftatf)ctn§ §auje. 
Sftedja nub 2)aja. 

3Bie / ®aja, brudEte ftcfy mem SSater au3? 
,,3$ biirf* il)n jeben Slugenblicf ertoarten?" 
2)a§ Ilingt — ntdjt toafyr? — al3 0J6 er nodE) fo balb 
1520 Grfcfyeinen fterbe. — 2Bie t>iel Slugenblicfe 

©inb aber fcfjon borbet ! — 211) nun, toer benlt 

2ln bie fcerfloffenen? — $$ ^HI atfeht 

3n jcbem nadjften StugenbHcfe leben. 

@r toirb bodj einmal fommert, ber ifyn bringt. 

1525 D ber t>ertounfcf)tert SBotfd^aft bon bem ©ultan! 
25enn 9tatfycm E>cttte fidget ofyne fie 
Sfyn gleicfy mit fyergebracfyt. 

>Red)a, 

Unb toenn er nun 
©efommen, biefer Stugenblttf; totnn benn 
9?un meiner 2Bun[d;e toarmfter, xnnigfter 
1530 GrfiiHet i[t: toa§ bann? — toa§ bann? 

2Ba3 bann? 

88 



3. :iuf3ug. \. :iuftrttt. 89 

S)ann f>off^ idb, baft aud; meiner -JBimfdje toarmfier 
©oE in ©rfuffung gefyen. 

Wc$a. 

2Ba§ totrb bann 
3n meiner 53ruft an beffcn ©telle trctcn, 
SDie fdhon berlernt, ofm' einen berrfcftenben 
: 5 35 SSunfd) alter 2Biinfd)e fief) ;u beljnen? — SRid&tS? 

21 b, id; erfdjrede ! . . . 

5D?ein, mein SEBunfd^ toirb bann 
3ln be§ crfitHten ©telle treten; meiner. 
SJtetn 9QBunfd^ / bid) in ©uropa, bid) in §anben 
^u hnffen, toeldje beiner Vr>urbtg finb. 

Media. 

1540 3Du irrft. — SBBaS biefen 2Bunfd; ju beinem mad)t, 
£)a§ namlidje fcerbinbert, bafj er meiner 
$e toerben lann. 3M$ jieljt bein SSaterlanb, 
Unb meine$, meine£ polite mid) nid;t fyalten? 
(Sin 33ttb bet Semen, ba§ in beiner ©eele 

1545 9?od) nidbt wxUqSftn, foQte meljr fcermogen, 
2tl3 bie id; feE?n unb greifen lann unb fyoren, 
2)ie 2Jteinen? 

©perre bid), fo toiel bit Untlft ! 
2)e§ Jgimmete JBege finb be£ £immel3 28ege. 
Unb toenn e3 nun bein Stetter felber toare, 
1550 SDurd) ben fern ©ott, fur ben er fampft, bicfy in 
2)a3 2anb, bid) ju bem SBoIfe fiifyren toollte, 
giir toelcfye bu geboren tuurbeft ? 



90 Hainan ber IDetfe. 

35aja! 

2Ba§ fyricfyft bu ba nun toieber, liebe ©aja ! 
©u fyaft bod) lt>a^rlxd^ beine fonberbaren 

1555 SSegriffe ! „©ein, fein. ©ott! fur ben er fampft!" 
2Sem eignet ©ott? toa3 ift bag fur ein ©ott, 
©er einem SD^enfc^en eignet? ber fur fidp 
Sftufe Iam!pfen laffen ? — Unb tote toeift 
Wtan benn, fiir toelcfjen ©rbfloft man geboren, 

1560 SBenn man'3 fiir ben ni$t ift, auf toeld^em man 
©eboren? — 2Senn mein SSater bid^> fo fyorte! — 
28a3 tfyat er bir, mir immer nur mein ©liicf 
©0 toeit toon ifym al§ moglid) fcorjufpiegeln? 
2Sa§ tfyat er bir, ben ©amen ber 23ernunft, 

1565 ©en er fo rein in meine ©eele ftreute, 
9Jiit beine§ £anbe§ Unfraut ober Slumen 
©0 gem ju mifdjen? — Siebe, liebe Qaia, 
@r toil! nun beine bunten ©lumen nid^t 
2luf meinem Soben ! — Unb id) muf$ bir fagen, 

1570 8$ felber fiifyle meinen 33oben, \vmn 

©ie nod) fo \d)bn t^n Heiben, fo entfraftet, 
©0 auSgejefyrt burcfy beine Slumen ; fiifyle 
$n tfyrem 35ufte, fauerfii^em ©ufte, 
Wid) fo betctubt, fo f^toinbelnb ! — ©ein ©efytm 

1575 3ft beffen mefyr getoofynt. %d) table brum 
©ie ftarlern 5Rertoen nid&t, bie ifyn bertragcn. 
9tur fcfylagt er mir nid)t ju; unb fcfyon bein ©ngel, 
2Sie toenig fefylte, ba£ er mid) jur 9tarrin 
©emadjt? — %lod) fcfyam' id) mid) fcor meinem SBater 

1580 ©er $offe! 



5. 21 uf 3119- \. 21 uf trttt. 91 

^3offe ! — 2U§ ob ber Serftanb 
9iur fyier ju §aufe toare! $offe! $offe! 
SBenn i$ nur reben biirftc ! 

©arfft bu nicfyt? 

2Benn toar id? m$t ganj Dfyr, fo oft eg bir 

©eftel, Don beinen ©lauben3l)elben mi$ 
1585 3 U unterfyalten? $ah' id) xf)ren S^aten 

9ft$t ftet3 SBetounberung unb ifyren Setben 

3fli$t immer S^ranen gem gejoUt? ^x ©laube 

©$ien fretlicfy mir ba3 ^elbenmaftigfte 

3ln tbnen me. ©0$ fo mel troftenber 
1590 28ar mir bie Sefyre, ba£ ©rgebenfyeit 

^n ©ott Don unferm SBafmen iiber ©ott 

©0 ganj unb gar nidjt abfyctngt. — Stebe ©qa, 

2)a3 fyat mein 33ater un£ fo oft gefagt; 

©ariiber Ijaft bu felbft mit il)m fo oft 
^95 ®i$ einberftanben: toarum untergrabft 

Su benn attem, toa§ bu mit ifym jugleidE) 

©ebauet? — Siebe ©qa, ba3 ift fein 

©efprad), toomit fair unferm greunb am beften 

©ntgegenfebn. gur midE) jtoar, {a! %)znn nur, 
1600 Sftir liegt baran unenblid^ ob aud^ er . ♦ . 

§orrf), S)qa! — $ommt e§ nid^t an unfre Satire? 

2Senn er e3 faare! §or$! 



92 HatfyanberlDetfe. 



fetter Ztuftrttt i/^ 



dlefya. £)aja unb ber gempelljerr, bem jemanb toon aufjett 
bte Zfyuvt offnct mit ben Morten : 

9lur fyier herein! 

(fafyrt jufammcn, fafet ftd) unb toiU tf)tn 311 griijjen fallen). 

@r ift'81 — 3)1 ein better, af>! 

2)teS ju fcermeiben, 
©rfd^ten id) blofs jo tyat ; unb bodj) — 

SHetfja. 

3^ una 

1605 iga ju ben gotten btefeS ftoljen 2Ranne§ 

5Kur ©ott nod? einmal banfen, nicfyt bem 2ftanne. 
Ser 3[Rann toiU leinen 35anf, UriU tfyn fo toentg, 
2ll§ ifyn ( ber JBaffereimer toiU, ber bet 
3)em Sofcben fo gefcfyaftig fid? ertoiefen. 

1610 £>er lief} ft$ fiiCCert, lieft ftdE) leeren, mir 

9^13, bit md)t3: alfo, au$ ber Sftann. 2lud? ber 
2Sarb nun fo in bte ©luVfyineingeftoften; 
$)a fiel id? ungefaljr if?m in ben 2trm; 
SDa blieb id? ungefaljr, fo tote em ^unlen 

1615 2Iuf feinem SKantel, if?m in feinen Strmett, 
33i3 toieberum, id) toeift ni$t toa$, un£ beibe 
<gerau3f$mift au3 ber ($Iut. — 9Sa3 giebt e3 ba 
3u banfen? — ^ n @uro£a treibt ber 2Bein 
Qu no$ toeit anbern Stbaten. — £empell?erren, 

1620 S)ie mixffen einmal nun fo I?anbeln, miiffen 
SBie ettoaS beffer jugelernte §mnbe 
©otool?l au§ geuer, alS au3 SBaffer l?olen. 



3. 2Iuf3ug. 2-.2lttftrttl 93 

XempeHjerr 

(ber fie mtt (Srftctunen nnb Unrufje bte ganje Sett iiber betradjtet). 

D 35aja, 3)aja ! 2Benn in 21ugenbltcfen 
2)e3 $ummer§ unb ber ©alle meine Saune 
1625 3)id^ libel anltefs, toarum jebe S^orfyett, 

3)te meiner ,S un 9' entfufyr, ifyr fyinterbrtngen? 
2)a3 fyteft ficfy ju empftnblicf; radfen, 2)qa ! 
2)oc§ toenn bu nur toon nun an Beffer mid!) 
Set if)r toertreten totHft. 

3c£> benfe, fitter, 
1630 $d£> benle nidjt, baf$ biefe fletnen ©tacfyeln, 
S$r an ba3 §erj getoorfen, 6ud£> ba febr 
©efcfyabet fyahtn. 

SSie? ^E)r f>attet Summer? 
Unb toart mtt Suerm Summer getjtger 
Site @uerm Seben? 

^emjjenjerr. 

©uteS, fyoIbeS $tnb ! — 
1635 3Bte ift bod^> meine ©eele jtoifd^en 2Iuge 

Unb Dfyr geteilt! — £>a§ tear ba3 9JJabcben nicfyt, 
Stein, nein, ba$ tear e3 ntcfyt, ba§ au§ bem $euer 
%d) Ijolte. — S)enn toer fyatte bte gefannt 
Unb au§ bem geuer n\d)t gefyolt? SBer petite 
1640 2Iuf midf) getoartet? — Btoar — toerfteljft — ber ©direct 

($aufe, unter ber er in tafdjauung ttyrer fid) ttrie t>erltert.) 

$$ aber finb' ®ud6 nodE) ben namltd&en. — 
(£e§gleid)en, bi§ fte fortfdfjrt, um ii)n in fetnem ^nftaunen $n unterbretfyen.) 



94 HatfyattbertPetfe. 

$ftun, fitter, fagt \xn$ bod^, too gfyr fo lange 
©etoefen? — ftaft biirft' id; and) fragen, too 
3^r je£o feib? 

£empell)err> 
3d) bin, — too id) tuetteicfyt 
1645 9ft#t foUte fein. — 

*fletf)a. 

2Bo g^r getoefen? — 2Iud? 
2Bo $fyr meUeid;t ntd^t foKtet fein getoefen? 
2)a§ tft md)t gut. 

2luf — auf — toie tyeifet ber 93erg ? 
2tuf (Sinai. 

Stuf ©inai? — Sty fcpn! 
■Run lann icfy jufcerlafftg bod^ einmal 
1650 ©rfafyren, ob e$ toafyr . . . 

Xempelljerr. 

2Ba§? toa§? Db r § toatyr, 
SDaft nocfy bafelbft ber Drt ju feljm, too 9Jiofe£ 
33or ©ott geftanben, ate . . • 

9hm ba§ toofyl nic^t; 
3)enn too er ftanb, ftanb er t)or ©ott. Unb bafcon 
3ft mir jur ©'rttige fdfjon befannt. — Db'§ toafyr, 
1655 Wtod)? id) nur gem fc>on @uc$ erfafyren, baf$ — 
©afc e3 bet toeitem ntd)t fo miifjfam fei, 
2luf biefen 33erg fyinauf ju fteigen ate 
iperab? — 25enn fefyt, fofciel id) SBevge no$ 



3. 2Iuf3iig. 2. 21 uftrt tt. 95 

©eftiegen Bin, toar'S juft ba§ ©egenteil. — 
1660 9?un, fitter? — 28a§? — g$r fefyrt ®uc^) Don mir ab? 
23oHt ntidfr nic^t fefm ? 

£etttt>elf|err, 

SBeil ic§ ©ucfy ^oren n>tff. 

JRedja. 
28eil 3$r m ^ nid^t tt>oIIt merfen lafjen, ba£ 
§fyr meiner ©infalt ladjett; baf$ 3$r lad^elt, 
2Bie id) SudE) bodj) fo gar ni$t§ SSidbtigerS 
1665 33on biefem fyeiligen 23erg after Serge 
3u fragen toeife? Sftidjt toafyr? 

Xem^elljerr, 

©0 tnufj 
£5$ bocfy @ud£) ftueber in bie 2lugen fefyn. — 
2Ba3? 9lun fdjlagt 3$r fie nieber? nun &££etfti 
3)a3 2ad)dn 3$r? tote idf) no<$ crft in SQttenen, 
1670 ^n gtoetfet^aften SDiienen lefen tottt, 

2Ba§ id) fo beutlicty fyor', 2$ r fo kernefymlid) 

3flir fagt — berfcfctoetgt? — 21B 9iecf)a ! SReia ! 2Bie 

§at er fo toafyr gefagt : „$ennt fie nur erft I" 

23er fyat? — bon fcem? — @u$ bag gefagt? 

Xempenjerr, 

„$ennt fie 
1675 9to* wji !" f)at ©uer 3Sater mir gefagt, 
SSon @udf) gefagt. 

Unb id} rtid^t ettoa aucf>? 
2>d£) benn nid^t au$? 



96 Zlatt\an berlPetfe. 

2lHetn too tfi er benn? 
28o ift benn @uer SSater? 3ft or nod? 
33eim ©ultan? 

*fletf)a, 
Dfyrte ,3^ e if e ^ 

£empelljen\ 

9?o$, nocfy ba? — 
1680 D mi$ 33erge§Iid(j)en ! 5ftein, nein ; ba ift 
@r fdE)tDerIic^> mefyr. — 6r toirb bort unten bet 
©em Softer meiner Garten ; gan$ getoijs. 
©o reb'ten, mein' i$, fair e3 ab. ©rlaubt ! 
3$ gel?', ic§ f)or tyn . . . 

£)a£ ift metne ©acfye. 
1685 331eibt, fitter, bleibt. 3$ bring' ifyn untterjuglicfy. 

XempeUjerr, 

9iidf)t fo, ntd&t fo I @r fie^t mir felbft entgegen ; 
Sttcfyt @u$. ©aju, er fonnte letdjt . . . toer toei£? • 
@r fonnte bei bem ©ultan letdjt, — 3^r lennt 
S)en ©ultan mcfyt ! — letdfyt in SSerlegenEjett 
1690 ©efommen fcin. — ©laubt mir ; e3 fyat ©efafyr, 
2Benn idf) nt$t get>\ 

©efatyr? toa8 fur ©efafyr? 
Sempeifyerr, 

©efafyr filr micfy, fiir @u$, fiir t^n, toznn icfy 
3tt$t fcfyteunig, fcfyteunig gefy'. («&.) 



3. 21 u f 3 u g. 3. 2t u f t r i 1 1 97 

Drttter 2Iuftrttt. 

Sft e d) a uttb ® a j a. 

2Ba3 ift ba§, £>qa? — 
©o fc^neK? — 2Ba§ lommt if)tn an? 2Sa§ fiel ifym auf? 
1695 2B a ^ i a 9* ^ n ? 

£a}3t nur, lafet. 3$ ^ en ^/ ^ i(t 
$ein f$Iimme3 geic^en. 

Medja. 

geicfyen? unb toofc>on? 

SDafs ettoa3 fcorgefyt innerbalb. ©3 fo$t 
Unb foil nid^t iiberfocfyen. 2a$t i^n nur. 
9ton tft'3 an ®u$. 

ffletfja. 

2Ba§ ift an mir? ®u foirft, 
1700 2Bie er, mir unbegreiflicf). 

33alb nun fount 
3$r il)m bie Unrufy' all bergelten, bie 
6r @udj gemad)t §at. ©eib nur aber aucfy 
SKid&t aHju ftreng, nicfyt affju radE)begierig. 

SEofcon bu fprid&ft, ba3 magft bu felber faiffen. 

1705 Unb feib benn 3$r bereit§ fo rufyig toieber? 

Sedja. 

£)a£ bin id) ; ja, ba§ bin id; . . . 



98 ZtatfyanberlDetfe. 

23enigften3 
©efteljt, bafe %fyx @u$ feiner Unrufy' freut 
Unb feiner Unrufy' banfet, toa3 2$ r l^t 
33on SRufy' genieftt. 

3Rix fcoHig unbetouftt! 

17 io £)enn faa§ idf) bocfyften§ bir geftefyen fonnte, 
2Bar', baft e3 mid) — micfy felbft befrembet, tote 
2luf einen foldben ©turm in meinem §erjen 
©0 eine ©tide plo§K$ folgen fonnen. 
©ein Poller Sln&licf, fein ©ef^rad^, fein £on 

1715 $at micfj . . . 

©efattigt .fd&on? 

©efattigt, tottt 
$$ nun nicfyt f agen ; nein — bei toeitem nidfyt — 

35en E>eifsen hunger nur gcftiHt. 

%l\m ja, 
2Benn bu fo toiUft. 

$$ ^htn m$t. 

JRedja. 

@r toirb 
9Kir etoig toert, mir ctotg toerter aU 
1720 Sftein Seben bleiben, tocnn aud£) fd^on mein 5jJul8 
Sfttd&t meljr bei feinem blofeen Seamen toedf)felt, 
SRid^t mefjr mein §erj, fo oft ic§ an ifyn benfe, 



• 3. 21 u f 3 u g. <\. 2Iuftrttt. 99 

©efcfytoinber, ftdrfer fcblagt. — S3a§ f<$toa# idE)? Somm, 
fiomm, Hebe SJaja, toieber an ba£ §enfter, 
1725 SDaS auf bie ^almen ftefyt. 

©0 ift er bo$ 
2BotyI nodE) mdE)t gang geftifft, ber bei$e §unger. 

[Redja. 

5ftun toerb' i$ aud£) bie ^almert toieber fefm, 
SRtd^t if)n blo£ imtern ^almen. 

SDxefe £alte 
23eginnt and) tooljl em neue3 gieber nur, 

1730 28a§ gait'? ^c^ bin nic^t fait 33> feE>e toa^rlic^ 
9tidE)t minber gern, toa§ tcf) mit 9tuf)e febe. 



Pterter 2Cuftritt. 

Scene : em 9litbten3|aat in bem $atafte be? Salabin. 
@ at a bin unb @ it t al), 

Salabtn 

(tm §eremtreten, gegen bie Satire). 

§ter bringt ben guben Ijer, fobalb er lommt. 
@r fdEjeint fi$ eben nid&t 311 iibereilen. 

Sittal), 

@r toar and) tDO^l nicfyt bei ber §anb, nicfyt gtei$ 
*735 <3" ftnben. 



100 HatfyctnberlDetfe. 

Salafetit, 

©dfjtoefter ! ©cfytoefter ! 

%i)\x\t bu bo$, 
2113 jtiinbe bir etn STreffen bor. 

©alabin. 

Unb bag 

•Jfttt SBaffen, bte tcfy rtid^t gelemt ju fuljren. 

3$ fott.-.mxd^ ftcHen, foil beforgen laffen, 

©oil fallen legen, [oft auf ©lattetS fiifyren. 
1740 2B enn E)dtt' id£) ba§ gefonnt? 3Bo fyattf tdf? bag 

©elernt? — Unb foil ba§ atte3, a§, tooju? 

2Soju ? — Urn ©etb ju fijcfjen ! ©elb ! — Urn ©elb, 

©elb einem ^uben afyuhanQtn ; ©elb! 

$u folcfyen Kern en Siften Waf id) enblicfy 
1745 ©ebracfyt, ber $letntgfeiten flemfte mix 

8u WaffenS 

^ebe 5Uetmgfett, ju fe^r 
93erf$maf)t, bte ra$t fid), SBruber. 

(Salabut, 

Setber toafyr. — 

Unb toenn nun biefer 3 u ^ e 9 ar ^ er 9 u * e / 
SSernunft'ge ?Kann ift, tote ber ©erftnfdE) bit 
1750 2# n ^ebem befcfyrteben? 

D nun bann! 
9Sa§ f?at e§ bann fur Sftot! 3Me ©cringe Itegt 
$a nur bem getjtgen, beforglidjen, 
gurcfytfamen 3 u ^ en / nid^l bem guten, nicfyt 
S)em toetfen SEftanne. 35tefer ift ]a fo 



3. 2Iuf3ug. *. :iuftrttt. 101 

1755 ©ebon unfer, obne ©cfylinge. £>a3 33ergniigen, 
3u fyoren, toie ein folcber 3Jlann fxdE> au^reb't ; 
3Jiit toelcfyer breiften Star!' enttoeber er 
3Me ©tritfe furj jerreiftei, ober awfy 
3Rit toeldfjer feblauen SSorftcbt er bie ?Re^e 

1760 SSorbei fief) toinbet : bies 3Sergnligen f)a\i 
©u obenbrein. 

©afabttt, 

■Kun, ba3 ifi toabr, ©etotft, 
!3$ freue tntcf) barauf. 

©0 lann btd^ \a 
2lucf) toeiter nidbt3 berlegen madden. 3)enn 
3ft'3 einer cms ber 2Renge 6lo{$ ; ift'3 bloft 
1765 ©in ^ube tote ein $ube : gegen ben 

SBirft bu bid) bocf) nicbt fcfyamen, fo ju febeinen, 
2Bie er bie 9J?enfcben aW }id) ben!t? 93ielmefyr, 
2Ber \\d) ibm befjer jeigt, ber jeigt fi$ tbm 
Site ©eef, att Waxx: 

©0 mu§ icfy ja toof)I gar 
1770 ©cf)Iedi)t fyanbeln, ba§ bon mir ber ©c^lec^te ni$t 
©$le$t benle? 

JCraun, toenn bu fd£)Ied)t fyanbeln nennft, 
6in jebe3 Sing naef) feiner 2lrt ju braudf^en. 

(Balabin. 

22a§ ^att' ein SSetfcerfopf erbad&t, ba3 er 
9ft$t ju befd^onen toufcte ! 



102 HatfianberlPetfe 

©tttal), 

gu befdjonen! 

1775 ®a§ feme, fyitje Sing, beforg' idO nur, 

3n meiner J) lumpen §anb gerbrtd^t ! — So toa£ 
2Bttt au3geflil)rt fein, toie'3 erfunben ift, 
3Rtt ader $Pfiffig!eit, ©etoanbtyeit. — 2)od&, 
3J?ag'3 bodE) nur, mag'3 ! 3$ * an 3 e / ^ e t$ fann ; 

1780 Unb fount' e£ freilicfy lieber — fd^Ied^ter nocfy 
2113 beffer. 

£rau bir and) nur md^t ju toenig ! 
$d) fte^e bir fur bid) ! 2Benn bu nur toillft. — 
3)a£ un§ bie Wanner betne§glet$en bocfy 
©0 gern bereben molten, nur il)r @dj>toert, 
1785 3# r ©c^mert nur Ijabe fie fo toett gebradjt. 
3)er Sotoe fd^amt ftcfy freilid), toenn er mit 
©em $u$fe jagt : — be§ gu$fe§, nicfyt ber Sift. 

Unb ba£ bie 2Beiber boc^ fo gern ben 9Jtann 
3u fid) fyerunter fatten ! — ©el) nur, gefy ! — 
1790 $cfy glaube meine Seftton $u fimnen. 

22a§? td& foil gefyn? 

©alabitt. 
3Ju tooftteft bocfy nid^t bleiben? 

(Bittat). 

SBenn aud? nicf)t bleiben ♦ . ♦ im ©efid^t eu$ bleiben - 
©0$ fyier im Sftebenjimmer — 



' 3. 2liif3ug. 5. 2Uftrttt. 103 

Salabtm 

2) a ju fyorcfyen? 
2Iu$ ba§ ni$t, ©cfytoefter, tnenn id) foil beftefyru — 
1795 $ or *' f or * ! ^er 33or§ang raufcfyt ; er lommt ! — bod) ba§ 
3)u ja ntcfyt ba bertDeilft ! $d) fefye nacf). 

(3nbem fie fief) burtf) bte eine %$uxe entfernt, tritt ^at!)an ju ber anbern 
ijerctn, unb Salabin I)at fitf) gefe&t.) 



^linfter ituftriti 
@ a I a b i n unb 9? a t Ij a tt. 

6a(abht» 

£ritt nafyer, ^ube ! — 3lafytx ! — 5ftur ganj fyer ! — 



3?ur 


oI)ne gurc£)t! 


9?atf)att. 

3)ie bleibe betnem geinbe! 






y&alabin. 




2>u nennft bid) 9?atl)an? 








Watf)an. 
3a. 








^aiabitt. 


35en toeifen ;WatI)an? 



1800 Sfcin. 

Salabm. 

■JBotyl ! nennft bu bid) nid)t, nennt bid) bag SBoIf . 
£ann fein, bag Soil! 



104 XI atfjan ber ID et fe. 

©alabiu. 

S)u glaubft bodj nicfyt, baft tdE> 
3Serdd^tIid^ toon be§ 93oIfe3 ©timme benfe? — 
3$ fyabe langft getoimfcfyt, ben 2Jtamt §u fennen, 
2)en e3 ben SBeifen nennt. 

Unb toenn e3 tfyn 
1805 3um ©pott fo nennte? SBenn bem 35oIfe luexfc 

$Ri$t3 better toar' ate Hug? unb Hug nur ber, 
£)er fidf; auf feinen 93ortetl gut toerftefyt? 

(Balaton. 

2luf feinen toafyren SBorteil, meinft bu bod£)? 

©ann freiltcfy toar' ber Sigemuifctgfte 

1810 ®er Klugfte. ©ann Wax frettidf) flug unb toctfe 

9htr ein§. 

Salabin, 

3$ fyore bid^ ertoetfen, toa3 
®u totberfprecfyen toiHft. — 3)e3 9Jtenf$en toal)re 
SSorteile, bte ba§ SSoIf ntcfyt lennt, fcnnft bu, 
§aft bu ju lennen toemgftenS gefucfjt ; 
1815 §aft briiber nadjgebac^t : ba§ aud£) attetn 
Mai)t fdEjon ben SBeifen. 

2)er ft$ jeber biinft 

3u fein. 

- Salabttt, 

5Run ber 33efcfyeibenfyeit genug! 
SDenn fie nur immerbar ju fyoren, too 
3Jtan trocfene 33ernunft ertoartet, efelt. 
(<Sr fprtngt auf.) 



5. 2t u f 3 u g. 5. 2l.ufirttt 105 

1820 2afc un3 jur ©a($e lommen ! 2lber, aber 
Sfufrid^ttg, Qub', aufrid)tig ! 

©ultan, id; 
28ttt fidjerlid; bxd^ fo bebienen, baft 
3d) beraer fernern ^unbfcbaft toiirbig bleibe. 

©alabtit. 

SBebienen? tote? 

ftatfjatt. 

»u fotlft ba§ Sefte fyahzn 

1825 93on attem ; foUft ee urn ben btHigften 

5]3rei3 l;aben. 

t^afabut. 

SSobon fprtdE)ft bit? bod) toobl ntd^t 
33on beinen 9Baren? — ©cbadjern toirb mit bir 
©d)on meine ©d^toefter. (Sag ber §orc§ertn!) — 
3d; Ijabe mit bem ^aufmann mrf>t3 ju tfyun. 

*tfatl)atu 

1830 ©0 ftnrft bu ofyne 3^ e *f e I toiffen tootfen, 
23a§ id) auf meinent SBege bon bem geinbe, 
©er atlerbing* fid) toiebev reget, zt\va 
Semerft, getroffen ? — 22enn id) unfcerfyofylen . . . 

Salabht. 

2(u$ barauf bin icfy ibtn md)t mil bir 
1835 ©efteuert. 35at>on toei£ id) fdjon, fofciel 
3$ notig fyabe. — Kurj ; — 

SRatfjatu 

©ebieie, ©uttan. 
(Salabtn. 

3cf) beifdjje beinen Unterrid;t in ganj 

23a§ anberm, gang toa§ anberm. — £a bu nun 



106 Hatfyan ber IPetfe. 

©o toeife bift, fo fage mir bod; einmal — 
1840 2Ba§ fur em ©laube, toa§ fair ein ©efe£ 
§at bir am meiften eingeleudjtet? 

9lat\)an. 



3$ bin ein %uV. 

©alabin. 



Sultan, 



Unb id) ein 2)iufelmann. 
3)er @£>rift ift gtx>tftf)en un§. — 33on biefen brei 
Meligionen lann bod) eine mtr 

1845 3Me toafyre fein. — Sin SOknn tote bu bleibt ba 
TOcfyt fte^en, too ber gufall ber ©eburt 
3$n fyingetoorfen ; ober toenn er bletbt, 
Sletbt er au§ ©infidfjt, ©riinben, 2Bat?I be3 Seffcrn. 
SSobtan! fo teile beine ©infid^t mir 

1850 Qmn mtt. £aft micfy bie ©riinbe fyoren, benen 
$d) felber nacbjugritbeln nicfyt bie $t\t 
©eljabt £aft mid) bie 2Baf)l, bie biefe ©riinbe 
Sefttmmt, — t>erftel;t fid), im 3>ertrauen — totffen, 
SDamit icfy fie §u meiner mad;e. 3Bie? 

1855 3)u ftufceft? toagft mid) mit bem Sluge? — $ann 
SBoIjl fein, baft id) ber erfte (Sultan bin, 
S)er eine foldje ©riffe fyat, bie midE) 
5Do$ etneS ©u(tan3 eben nid)t fo ganj 
Untoiirbig biinft. — SRid^t toafyr? — ©0 rebe bo$! 

i860 ©prid) ! — Dber toillft bu einen Slugenblicf, 
£)id) ju bebenfen? (&ut, i$ geb' il)n bir. — 
(Db fie toofyi f)ord)t? 3>d) toitl fie bod) belaufdjjen ; 
2SUI fyoren, ob id&'S recfyt gemacfyt. — ) Sen! nacfy ! 
©efd)toinb benl nadj) ! $dE) faume nicfyt, juriicf 

1865 3 U lommen. 

((5r gefyt in fc>a§ Mbenjtmmer, nadj toeldjem ftcfy Sittaf) begeben.) 



3. 21 u f 3 u g. 6. tfuftrttt. 107 



Secfyfter 2luftritt 

Wafyan (aflein). 

§m ! Ijm ! — itmnberlicf) ! — 2Bie ift 
gjitr benn? — 2Ba3 toil! ber ©ultan? toa§? — 3* bin 

. 9Iuf ©elb gefafct, unb er tottt — SSa^eit. 2Baf?r^ett ! 
Unb toil! fie fo, — fo bar, fo blanf, — ate ob 
S)ie 22abrbeit SRunje toare! — ^a, toemi nodE) 

1870 Ur&lte 9JUinje, bie getoogen toarb ! — 
©as ginge nodfy ! 3lHein fo neue 9Jlunje, 
2)ie nur ber ©temipel macf)t, bie man auf3 Srett 
3l\xx jafylen barf, ba§ ift fie bod) nun mdf)t! 
2Sie ©elb in ©acf, fo ftrtd)e man in $opf 

1875 3I UC ^ SEBabr^eit em? 23er ift benn fyier ber $ube? 
$cf) ober er? — S)ocf) tote? ©ottt' er aucf) toofyl 
3)ie SBafyrfyeit nicfyt in SSafyrfyeit forbern? — 3toar, 
3toar ber SBerbacfyt, baf$ er bie SBafyrfyeit nur 
2tl§ ^atte braudje, frmr' aucfy gar ju f lein ! — 

1880 $u flein? — 23a§. ift fur einen ©rofcen benn 
^u flein? — ©etoife, getoife, er ftiirjte mit 
• ®er S^ure fo in§ §au3 ! 3Kan !podE)t bod), fyort 
Socfy erft, toenn man aU greunb fief) nafyt. — 5$ mn $ 
93ef)utfam gefyn! — Unb toie? toie ba§? -- @o ganj 

1885 ©tocfjube fein ju tootten, geljt fd£>on nid^t. — 
Unb gan$ unb gar mcf)t %ubt, 9 e ^ no $ minber. 
SDenn, toenn fein %itit, Mfcft 1 er m ^ nur fragen, 
SBarum fein SKufelmann? — 2>a§ toar'3 ! 2)a8 farm 
TOd^ retten ! — 9ltd&t bie Minber b!o£ fpeift man 

1890 3Jlit 2Jtar$en ab. — @r fommt. 6r fomme nur ! 



108 Hainan ber IPeife. 

Stebenter Ztuftrtth 

@ a 1 a b t n unb 9? a 1 1) a n. 

Salabut. 

(©o ift ba3 gelb fyier rein !) — $$ lornm 1 btr bodj 
SRicfyt ju gefcfyhnnb juriicf? £)u btft ju 3?anoe 
9JJU betner ilberlegung — SRun fo rebc ! 
(S3 f)5rt une !eine ©eele. 

WodjV aucfy bod^y 
1895 3)ie ganje SBelt un3 fyoren. 

©alabitu 

©0 getoift 
^ft SKatfyan feiner ©acbe? §a ! bag nenn' 
3d) einen SBetfen ! 3lk bie 2Babrl)eit ju 
3Serf)ef)[en ! fur fie atte3 auf ba3 ©piel 
3ufefcen! Seib unb Seben! ©ut unb Slut! 

1900 %a ! ja ! toenn'3 notig ift unb nii£i 

Salabtit* 

Son nun 

2tn barf id) fyoffen, einen meiner Sttel, 

SSerbefferer ber 2BeIt unb be§ ©efet$e3, 

SJtit ?Rzd)t ju fii^ren. 

SKatyait, 

£raun, ein fcfyoner Sitcl! 
©0$, ©ultan, el)' id) mi$ bir ganj fcertraue, 
1905 ©rlaubft bu toobl, bir ein ©eftfnd)td)en ju 
@rjaf)Ien ? 



3. 21 u f 3 u g. 7. 21 u f t r 1 1 1. 109 

Salabut. 

2Barum ba§ ntdjt? 3d) bin ftetS 

©in greunb getoefen bon ©efcfeicfytcfyen, gut 

©rjctylt. 

*Ratyan. 

ga, gut erjcifylen, ba£ ift mm 

SBofyl eben meine ©acf)e mdjt. 

8afabht. 

©d£)on toieber 

1910 So ftolj befcfmben? — 9Jfa$ ! erjafyl, erjctble ! 

23or grauen ^af)ren UbV ein 9J?ann in Often, 
£)er einen King toon unfcf)a|barem 2Bert' 
2tu§ lieber §anb befa^. 3)er Stein toar ein 
Opal, ber fyunbert ftf)5ne garben fpielte, 

1915 Unb ijatte bie geljeime Kraft, bor ©ott 
Unb 9Jtenf$en angenefym ju macfren, toer 
3n biefer Suberiidbt ibn trug. 28a§ JBunber, 
£)a£ ifyn ber 3Jiann in Often barum nie 
SSom ginger Itefe un& bie 33erfugung traf, 

1920 Sluf etoig ifyn bei feinem §aufe ju 

(Mjalten? -Jiamlid; fo. @r lief; ben King 

35on feinen ©ofynen bem geliebteften 

Unb fettfe feft, ba£ biefer toteberum 

©en King toon feinen ©oEmen bem t>ermad)e, 

1925 2)er iljm ber liebfte fei, unb ftet§ ber Iiebfte, 
Dfm' Slnfe^n ber ©eburt, in Kraft attetn 
2)e§ King3, ba£ §au£t, ber gurft bes £aufe§ toerbe. — 
3Serfte^e mtdj, ©ultan. 

Salabht, 

%$ berfte^ bid&. SBeiter ! 



110 Zlatlian ber IDetfe, 

^ati)att. 

©o iam nun biefer Sting, fcon ©ol)n ju ©ofyn, 

1930 2luf einen SSater enblicfy bon brei ©ofynen, 
3)ie atte brei ifym gleid) geljorfam toaren, 
©ie alle brei er folglidf) gleicfy ju lieben 
©id) nidjt entbrecfjen fonnte. 9?ur bon $eit 
3u 3eit f4n en ^ m 6alb ber, balb biefer, balb 

1935 ©er brttte, — fo tx>te jeber fid) mit tfym 
Stllein befanb, unb fein ergiefcenb iperj 
©ie anberrt gtoet nicfyt tetlten, — totirbiger 
2)e3 9ftnge§, ben er benn and) einem jeben 
2)ie fromme ©d&toad&fyeit fyatte ju fcerfprecfyen. 

1940 2)a3 ging nun fo, folang e3 ging. — 2lHein 
©3 fam jum ©terben, unb ber gute SSater 
$5mmt in 33erlegenl)eit, @3 fcfymerjt iljn, gtt>ei 
3Son feinen ©oljmen, bie ftd) auf feirt 2Bort 
aSerlaffen, fo ju Iranlen. — 2Ba§ §u tfyun? — 

1945 (Sr fenbet in gefyetm ju einem ^iinftler, 

33et bem er, nacfy bem -Dtufter feine§ Stinger, 
Stoet anbere beftellt unb toeber Soften 
.5Ro$ SJlufye fyaren fyeiftt, fie jenem gleicfy, 
SSodfommen gleid) ju madden. 2)a3 gelingt 

1950 ©em $iinftler. ©a er ifym bie Swinge brtngt, 
$ann felbft ber SSater feinen SKufterring 
SWid^t unterfcfyeiben, $rol) unb freubig ruft 
@r feme ©ofyne, jeben inSbefonbre, 
©iebt jebem in^befonbre feinen ©egen — 

1955 Unb feinen SRing — unb ftirbt. — ©u fyorft bo$, ©ultan ? 

©alabut 

(ber fid) betrotfert Don ifym getnanbt). 
3d) fyor', id) fyore! — Somm mit beinem 9ttar$en 
Stur.balb gu @nbe. — 2Btrb'8 ? 



3. 21 uf jug. 7. 2Iuftrttt. Ill 

%<fy bin ju 6nbe. 
2)enn toa§ no$ folgt, berftefyt ficb \a bon felbft. — 
$aum toar ber 33ater tot, fo fommt ein jeber 
i960 SOlit feincm Jftng, unb jeber \mil ber gfitrft 
®e3 £>aufe3 fein. 2Kan unterfudEjt, man janlt, 
93tan flagt. Umfonft ; ber recfyte 5ting toar nicfyt 
@rh>ei§Itc§ ; — 

Oft add etner ^aufe, in toeldjer er be3 ©ultcm§ Slntroort erroartet.) 

5 aft fo unertoeislitf) aU 
Un3 je|t — ber redbte ©laube. 

(Salabtn. 

2Bie? ba^ foil 
1965 3)ie 3lntoort fein auf meine $rage ? . . 

9tat$tm. 

soa 

3Dlid^ BIojj entfd^ulbigen, toenn ic£) bie Swinge 
JRir nid)t getrair ju unterfd^eiben, bie 
£)er 33ater in ber 2^bficf>t madden Itejs, 
iDamtt fie nid^t ju unterfcf)eiben toaren. 

Safabut, 

1970 2)ie Sftnge ! — Spiele nidEjt rrtit mir! — %<$) bad?te, 
2)a£ bie Steligionen, bie icb bir 
©enannt, bod^ toofyl ju unterfd^eiben toaren. 
23i3 auf bie $leibung, bi3 auf ©peif unb Sranl! 

Watffaxu 
Unb nur bon feiten ibrer ©riinbe md;i — 
197s ®enn griinben aHe ft<$ nicf)t auf ©efd^td&te ? 
©efdfjrteben ober itberliefert! — Unb 
©efc^idjte muft bodj tx>o£?t aHetn auf Xreu' 



112 Hainan ber IV e if c. 

Unb ©lauben angenommen toerben ? — 5Wid^t ? — 
9iun, toeffen Xreu' unb ©lauben jiefyt man benn 

1980 3lm toenigften in gtoztfd? 2>o$ ber ©einen? 
£>o$ beren Slut fair jtnb? bod) beren, bie 
S3on Ktnbbeit an un§ ^3roben ifyrer Siebe 
©egeben? bie unS nie getaufcfyt, a(3 too 
©etaufd)t ju foerben un3 fyeilfamer foar? — 

1985 2Bie fann \6) meinen SSatern tueniger 

2113 bu ben beinen glauben? Dber umgefebrt. 
$ann id) bon bir berlangen, baft bu betne 
SJorfafyren Siigen ftrafft, urn meinen nicbt 
3u Vr>iber[^re(f)en ? Dber umgefefyrt. 

1990 SDa3 namlidje gilt bon ben Sbriften. jftid&t? — 

(Balabin. 

(33ei bem Sebenbtgen ! £)er 9ttann fyat red)t. 
3$ tnu§ fcerftummen.) 

s )latf)an. 

Saft auf unfre 9^tng' 
Un3 toteber lommen. 2Bie gefagt: bie ©obne 
SBcrftagtcn ft$, unb jeber fcfytour bem ?R\tf)ttx, 

1995 Unmittelbar au3 feine§ SSaterS §anb 

©en 9ttng ju I)aben. — 23ie aucfy toafyx ! — 9}adjbem 
@r bon ibm lange ba3 SSerf^red^en fcfyon 
©efyabt, be§ 3tinge3 SSorred^t cinmal ju 
©enieften. — JBie nid&t minber toafyr ! — ®er 93ater, 

2000 Seteu'rte jebet, lonne gegen ifjn 

9l\tf)t falfd) getoefen fein ! unb efy' er biefeS . 
33on ifym, t>on einem folcben lieben SSater, 
2Irgh>obnen laff : ity muff' er feine Sriiber, 
©0 gem er fonft toon ifynen nur ba3 S3 eft e 

2005 aSereit ju glauben fei, be3 falfcfyen ©£tel§ 



3. 2Iuf3ug. 7. 2lnftritt 113 

93egei[;en, unb er fttotte bie 33errciter 
©dE)on au^jufinbeix toiffen, ficfy fd£)on ra$en. 

Salabitt. 

Unb nun, ber 9^id^ter ? — SRicfy berlangt ju fyoren, 
3Ba3 bu ben S^id^ter fagen laffeft. ©£rtcf) ! 

^at^att- 

2010 ©er 3tt$ter fpracfy : SBenn xf>r mir nun ben SSater 
dlid)t balb jut ©telle fdEjafft, jo toeif id) eu$ 
Son raeinem ©tufyle. 2)en!f if>r, ba£ id) SRatfel 
3u Iofen ba bin? Dber barret tfyr, 
23t3 ba§ ber recite Sting ben SJhmb eroffne? — 

2015 ©odE) fyalt! ^3d£> J)5re ja, ber recite 5Ring 
SBeftfct bie SBunberfraft, beliebt ju madden, 
SBor ©ott unb 9Jten[cf)en angene^m. 3)a3 muft 
©ntfdbeiben ! SDenn bie falfdjen Swinge toerben 
3)o$ ba£ nicftf fonnen ! — 5ftun, toen lieben gtt>ei 

2020 23on eucf) am meiften? — 3Jtad&t, fagt an ! 3#r fdjjtoeigt? 
©ie Swinge toirfen nur juriicf? unb nicfyt 
%lad) aufeen? ^eberliebt \\<fy felber nur 
2lm meiften? — D, fo feib xfyr aKe brei 
Setrogene SSetrteger ! Sure Stinge 

2025 ©inb aHe brei nid;t e$t. 35er ed)te Sting 
3SermutIid) ging berloren. Sen SSerluft 
3u bergen, ju erfe^en, liefc ber SSater 
S)ie brei fur einen madden. 

©alabttt, 

§errlicfj> ! Ijerrlidf) ! 

*tfat!)att. 

Unb alfo, fubr ber ERid^ter fort, toenn if)r 
2030 Sftid^t meinen Stat ftatt metneS ©pru$e3 toofft : 



114 Xlat\\an ber lUeife. 

©efyt nur! — mem 9fat ift abet ber: ifyr nefymt 
©te ©acfye bolltg tuie fie liegt. §at fcon 
6udj jeber feinen Sftng t)on feinem SSater, 
©o glaube jeber ficfyer feinen 9^ing 

2035 3)en ecfyten. — SCRoglic^, baf$ ber SSater nun 
£)ie £fyrannei be3 einen 3^ing§ nicfyt langer 
$n feinem §aufe bulben tootten ! — Unb getoifc, 
3)afe er eudE) aHe brei geliebt unb gletdE) 
©eliebt, inbem er-^toei nidjt briidfen mogen, 

2040 Urn einen ju begiinfttgen. — 28oIjIan ! 
@3 eifre jeber feiner unbeftodmen, 
3Son 93orurteilen freien Siebe riad; ! 
@§ ftrebe bon eucf) jeber urn bie SBette, 
S5ie $raft be3 ©tein£ in feinem 9ftng an £ag 

2045 <3 U ^ e 9 en ! fomme biefer £raft mit ©anftmut, 
9KU fyerjlicfyer aSertraglidjfeit, mit SBofyltljun, 
SDttt innigfter ©rgebenbeit in ©ott 
$u §ilf ! Unb tocnn fid; bann ber ©tetne $rafte 
93ei euern KinbeSs^inbeSfinbern auf^ern, 

2050 ©0 fab' id) iiber taufenb taufenb ^a^ re 
©ie hneberum t>or biefen ©tufyl. 35a toirb 
6in toeifrer 2Rann auf biefem ©tufyle fi^en 
2H3 icfy, tmb foremen, ©efyt! — ©0 fagte ber 
33efdjeibne Slitter. 

©alabht, 

©ott! ©ott! 

*tfatl)atu 

©alabin, 
2055 2Benn bu bid) fiifyleft, biefer toctfere 
23erfprodE)ne 5Dtann ju fein . . . 



3. 21 u f 3 u g. 7. 2luf tritt- 115 

Salabht 

(ber auf ityn juftiirst unb fetne «£>anb ergretft, bie er Bt§ ju (Snbe ntdjt 
ftieber fafyren lajjt). 

3$ Staub? %% 3Kc$t8? 
D ©ott! 

2Sa§ ift bit, ©ultan? 

©alabin. 

3latban, Iteber 9?atljan ! — 
2)ie taufenb taufenb $al)re beineS 9?id£)ter3 
6inb nocfy nid^t utn. — ©em 9K$terftu$l ift nid^t 
2060 2)er meine. — ©eb ! — ©el) ! — 2lber fei mem greurtb. 

Unb better fyatte ©alabtn mir ni$t8 

gu fagen? 

Salabttt. 
3K<(tt. 

9M|m. 

©alabttt, 

©ar nid&ts. — Unb toarum? 

Watljatt. 

3$ fyatte nodf) ©elegenfyeit getoiinfd&t, 
2)ir eine Sitte fcorjutragen, 

©alabttt. 

S9raud&f8 

2065 ©elegenfyeit ju einer Sittc ? — 3tebe ! 

sRafljatt. 

3$ fomm' fcon einer teeiten Sftetf', auf toeld^er 
3$ ©c^ulben etngetrieben. — gaft Ijab' xcfy 



116 Zlattian ber IDeife, 

3)e§ baren ©elb3 gut)teL — ©tc 3eit beginnt 
23ebenflicf> toieberum ju toerben, — unb 
2070 2>cfy toeife ntcf)t red;t, too ficfyer bamit fjin. — 
©a bad^t' id), ob ntdjt bu srietteid&t, — toetl bocfy 
©in naljer £rteg be§ ©elt>e^ immer mefyr 
©rforbert, — ettoaS braudjen fonnteft. 

©alabitt 
(ifym ttef in bie 2lugen fefyenb). 

5ftatl?an ! — 
3$ ttntt nicf)t fragen, ob 2Us§afi fc^on 
2075 Set bit getoefen, — ftuft ntd)t unterfudjen, 

Dh bid? nid)t fonft em 2trgtoofyn tretbt, mir biefe§ 
(Srbieten freierbtngS ju tfyun .... 

Nathan. ^ ■ 1; - 

@in 2trgtool!m? 
©alabitt. 

3$ bin xf?n toert. — 23erjed) mtr! — 2>enn toa§ tyilft'S? 
^d) mu£ btr nur geftefyen, baf$ id) im 
2080 SBegrtffe Wax — 

Nathan. 

2)ocb nicfyt, ba§ namltdje 
2ln mid) ju fudfjen? 

©alabitt. 
aitlerbingS. 

SRatljatt. 

©0 toar' 
Un§ beiben ja gefyolfen! ©aft i$ aber 
*fe^ ' ®tr afte metne 23arfd)aft nid)t fann fcfytden, 
©a3 macfyt ber junge £empetf)err. 35u fennft 
2085 3#n ja, g^m fyab' id) etne grofce ^3oft 
SSorljer nod) ju bejafylen. 



3. "2Iuf 3ug. 7. 2Iuf trtit. 117 

£empel§err ? 
2)u toirft bodf) meine fcfylimmften getnbe nid>t 
9Jiit beinem ©elb and) unterftuijen Pollen? 

£$d) f^red^e t>on bem etnen mtr, bem bu 
2090 3)a3 geben f^arteft . . . 

©alabitt. 

2(f)! iooran erinnerft 
£)u mid) ! — §ab' id) bod) biefen ^tingling 9 an 5 
SBergeff en ! — £ennft bu ifyn ? — 23o tfi er ? 

2Bie? . 
©0 toetftt bu md>t, tote biel torn beiner ©nabe 
giir ibn, burd) ifm auf mid) pfGflw? Gr, 
2095 ® r m ^ ®cfaJ^r be§ neu erfyaltnen SebenS 
§at meine £ocf)ter auS bem geu'r gerettet. 

(Salabtn. 

®r? §at er ba$? — §a! barnacf) fab er au§. 
£)a§ fyatte traun mein ©ruber and) geifjan, 
£)em er fo a^iielt ! — 3ft er benrt nod) bier ? 

2100 So bring ifm Ijer! — 3$ Fjabe meiner Scbtoefter 
Son biefem if?ren ©ruber, ben fie ntcbt 
©efannt, fo biel erjablet, bafs id) fie 
©em Sbenbilb bod) and) muft fef>en laffen! — 
©ef), Ijol ibn ! — 23ie au§ einer guten 2;^ at, 

2105 Q5_ebar fie aud) fd)on blofee Seibenfdbaft, 
2)od) fo biel anbre gute Sfyaten fftefcen! 
©ety, ^ol ifm ! 



118 Xlatt\an ber IX) e t f e- 

Watf)an 

(inbem er Salabtns .ftanb fafyren lajjt). 

Slugenbltds ! Unb bet bem anbern 
aSteibt e3 bod) and; ? (*&.) 

©alabin. 

2(f) ! ba£ icf) meine ©djtoefter 
3Rtc£)t fyorcfyen laffen ! — 3 U ^ r ' 5 U ^ r ! — Qtnn 
2110 2Bic foil id) atteS ba3 ifyr nun erjafylen? 
(9lb toon ber anbern Sctte.) 



TidjUt tfuftrttt. 

*£)ie Scene: unter hen $a(men, in ber 9ld^e be§ &lofter§, too ber Xempetfjerr 
*ftatf)an§ roartet. 

Xempelljerr 

(gefjt, mil fid) fetbft fampfenb, auf unb ab, bi§ er (o§britf)t). 
— igier bait bas Cpfertier ermiibet ftUl. — 
9Run gut! ^d) mag nicbt, mag nid)t nafyer toiffen, 
SBas in mir ttorgeljt; mag fcorauS nic^t totttern,^ ' 
9Ba§ t>orgefm toirb. — ©enug, id) bin umfonft 

2115 ©eflofyn, umfonft. — Unb toetter fonnt' id) bocf) 

2(ud) mcf)t3 al§ fliefyn! — SWim fomm', toa3 lommen 
3^m ausjubeugen, ftar ber ©tretd) ju fdmefl [foil! — 
@ef alien, unter ben ju lommen icb 
So tang unb totet mid) faeigerte. — ©ie fe^n, 

2120 3Me id) ju feE>n fo toenig (iiftern toar, — 
©ie fefyn, unb ber Gntfd)luB, fie toieber au% 
Sen 2(ugen nie $u laffen — 2Ba3 Gntfcfylufe? 
(gntfd&lup ift 33orfa£, £$at : unb i$, id& Rtt' , 



3. 21 u f 3 u g. 8. 21uftrtti. 119 

3$ litte blofi. ©ie fctyn, unb ba$ ©efityl, 
2125 2ln fie berftru ft, in fie bertoe&t jit fein, 

2Bar etn$. — SBIeibt ein§. — 33on ibr getrennt 

3u leben, ift mir ganj unbenfbar, toar' 
") 9Jtctn Sob, — unb too totr immer nad> bem Sobe 

S^oc^ fmb, aud; ba mein Sob. — 3ft ba$ nun Stebe : 
2130 ©0 — Itebt bet Sempelritter freilicb, — liebt 

©er Gfyrift baS $ubenmab$en frciRd^. — §m! 

2Ba3 t^ut'g? — 3$ fyft&' in bcm gclobten Sanbe — 

Unb brum aud) mir gelobt auf immerbar ! — 

3)er SSorurteile mebr fd;on abgelegt. — 
2135 22a§ toiU mein Drbcn aud; ? $$ Sempelfyerr 

Sin lot, toar Don bem Slugenblid ifym tot, 

3)er mid; ju ©alabim> ©efangnen madjte. 

35er $opf, ben ©alabin mir fcfyenfte, tocir' 

■Kern alter? — 3ft e * n neuer^.ber toon aUem 
2140 9iid)t3 tocifc, toa£ jenem eingevlaubert toarb, 

2Ba§ jenen banb. — Unb ift ein beff'rev, fur 

2) en batcrlidjen §immel mef;r gemad;t. 

£>a3 fpur' id) ja. Qznn erft mit il)m beginn' 

3d) fo 311 benfen, toie mein SSatcr l;ier 
2145 ©ebacfyt nm| fyabcn, toenn man 9Juird)en nid)t 

SSon ifym mir borgelogen. — s 3J?ard;en ? — bod; 

©anj glaublidje, bie g(aublid;er mir me 

2tt3 jefct gefd;ienen, ba id; mir ©efabr 

3u ftraucfyeln laufe, too cr fiel. — @r fiel? 
2150 3$ toift mit 9Jtannern lieber fallen, aH j^ 

3)Zit $inbern ftebn. — ©ein Seifpiel burget mir 

gur feinen SBeifaH. Unb an toeffen 93etfaK 

Siegt mir benn fonft? — Sin 9tatfyan£ ? — D, an beffen 



120 Hat If an ber tt)et fe. 

©rmuntrung tnefyr al3 SetfaH lann e3 mir 
2155 %lo<S) tt>enigcr gebrecfyen. — 2Mcfy em igube! — 
Hub ber fo ganj nur 3ube fcfyetnen toill! 
®a fommt er, fommt mit £aft, gliifyt Retire greube. 
2Ber lam bom ©alabtn je anber3? §e! 
£e, ^at^an! 



Heunter 2tuftrttt* 

%latf) an unb ber Sempelljerr. 

Sttatyatu 
2Bie? feib g&r'a? 

Xem^enjerr, 

S^r ^abt 
2160 ©el)r lang' @u$ bet bem ©ultan aufgefyalten. 

SRatljatt. 

©0 Icmge nun ftofyl ntcfyt. 3$ ^arb * m §inget)n 
$u fcuel toertoetltj — 2IE>, toaftrlic^, 6urb, ber 9ttann 
©tefyt feinen^u^ru ©ein Sftufym ift b(o£ fcin ©cfyatten.- 
©od) laftt bor alien ©ingen @ud; gefc^VDtnb 
2165 9tur fagen . . . 

2Ba3? 

@r h)ill @ud) fpred&en, toM, 
£>af$ ungejaumt 3$r 3 U ^ m fommt. Segleitet 
9Jli$ nur nad) §aufe, too id) nocfy filr i£m 
@rft ettoa§ anbre§ ju fcerfiigen fyabe: 
Unb bann, fo gebn toix. 



3- 2Juf3ug. 9. 21uftritt. 121 

Sempelfyerr. 

3lafyax\, guer §au3 
2170 Setret' i$ toieber eJ?er md)t . . . 

©0 feib 
3#r bocf) inbeS fcfyon ba getoefen? Jjabt 
3nbe§ fie bocf) gefyrodjen ? — ^un? — ©agt, tote 
©efallt @u$ 2tec§a? 

Xempetljerr. 

Uber alien 2tusbrucf ! — 
Slttein, — fie toieberfefyn — ba3 toerb' icfy me! 
2175 3ite ! nie ! — %fyx mitjstet mir jur ©telle benn 
SSerf^red^en, — ba£ id) fie auf immer, immer — 
©oH lonnen fel)n. 

SBie tootft g^r, bafc id) ba3 
SScrfte^? 

SempeHjerr 

(natf) enter furaen $au[e il)m pto^ttcf) um ten §a(§ faffenb.) 

3JJein 3Sater ! 

^atljatu 

— hunger SDfann ! 

Xtmpztytxv 

(ityn ebenfo ptofcttdj toieber lajfenb). 

SRid^t ©ofm?- 
3$ Bitt' @u$, gftat&an! — 

Sieber junger 2Rann ! 



122 £1 a tli a it *> * r *Det fe. 

Xtmptlljtxx. 

2180 yiifyt ©ofyn ? — %$) bxtt' @ud&, 9?atfyan ! — %<$) bef^or' 
©ucfy bet im erften Sanben ber 9iatur! — 
Stefyt ifynen fpatre fjeffeln bodj nid&t toor! — 
SBeniigt ®udj botf), em 9Jtenftf) ju fern! — ©tofct mid) 
SRid^t toon @u$ ! 

92at^att. 
Sieber, lieber $reunb ! . . . 

Xtmptfyzxx. 

Unb ©ofm? 
2185 ©ofm nicfyt? — 2lucfy bann nidjt, bann nidjjt einmal, toenn 
@rfenntli$fett jum §erjen (Surer STod^ter 
3)er Stebe fdjon ben 2Beg gebafynet fyatte? ^^jbh 
2Iucf) bann nicfyt einmal, toenn in exn§ an . f dSmelaen, 
2luf Suern 2BmI nur betbe toarteten? — 
2190 3$r \d)Wt\Qt ? 

SRafljatt. 
$fyr it&errafc^t micfy, junger Slitter. 

SempeHierr. 

3$ iiberrafd^ @ud? ? — tiberrafcfy' @u$, Sftatfyan, 

*Ktt (Suem eigenen ©ebanlen ? — 3$r 

SSerf ennt fie boc^ in meinem SDlunbe nicfyt ? — 

%$ itberrafc^ @u$? 

SRafljiro. 

@fy' idE> etnmal toeift, 

2195 2Ba§ fur ein ©tauffen Suer SSater benn 

©etoefen ift! 

Sempelljerr. 

2B<x3 fagt ^r, SRat^an ? toa8? — 
$n biefem 2lugenblicfe fiitylt 3^ r tttd^tS 
Site 9ieubegier? 



3. 2tuf3iig. 9*2Jttftrttt. 123 

*Ratf>an- 

SDenn fet;t ! $tf) fyabe felbft 
SBofyl einen ©tauffen efyebem gefannt, 
2200 £)er $onrab tyteft. 

Sempelljerr. 

^un, — tDenn mein 33ater benrt 
9iun ebenfo ge^ei^en Jjatte? 

SMtym. 

SSaf?rItd^? 

3d; jjeifce felber ja na$ meinem SSater : Surb 
3ft £onrab. 

Watiiau. 

%lun — fo tear mein $onrab bo$ 
%l\&)t @uer 33ater. 3)enn mein $onrab toar, 
2205 2Ba§ 2$ r / ^ ar £empelljerr, toar nie ttermafrlt. 

£em$>el|jerr* 
D barum! 

»ttfljatt. 

2Sie? 

£em})en)en\ 

D, barum fount' er bo$ 
2ftein SSater tootyl getoefen fein. 

9?atlji<ttf. 

3^r fd^crjt. 
Sempelljerr. 

Unb 3fy* nc^mt'S toafyrlicfy ju genau ! — 2Sa§ toar'8 
2)enn nun? ©0 toa§ t>on 23aftarb ober Sanlert! 



124 Hatfjan ber ttfeife. 

2210 2)er ©$lag ift aucfy nidjt ju beradjten. — S)od) 
Sntlaftt mtcfy immer meiner 2lfynen:probe. 
3d£) toitt (Sudf) (Surer toieberum entlaffen. 
9ii$t jtoar, als ob i$ ben .giringften ,3toeifel 
^n @uern ©tammbaum fe|te. ©ott beljute! 

2215 3$r fonnt ifyn SBlati fur Slatt bi3 Slbra^am 
§inauf belegen. Unb fcon ba fo better 
28etj3 i$ tfyn felbft, bill tcfy ^ n f elbft befefytooren, 

3#r berbet bitter. — $0$ berbien' id&'S? — ©cfylug 
3$ benn @u$ fcfyon ba£ ah? — 3$ biH ©ucfy ja 
2220 9iur bet bem JBorte nidjt ben 2lugenblicf 
©0 faffen. — 2Beiter ntd^t^. 

Setttyelljerr. 

©ebift ? — 9tt$t8 better? 
D, fo fcergebt ! . . . 

%l\m fommt nur, fommt! 

Setttyenjerr, 

SBofyin ? 
Sftein ! — SWit in ©iter §au£ ? — 2)a8 nicfyt ! bag nidE)t ! — 
©a fcetmf 8 ! — %tf) biH dud) fyier erbarten. ©efyt ! — 
2225 ©oH id) fte bieberfeljn, fo fefy' tcfy fie 
%lod) oft genug. 2So nicfyt, fo fal) idj) fie 
©d^on fcriel gut>iel . . . 

9latf)an. 

%ti) bill mi$ moglic^ft eilen. 



3. 21 u f 3 u g. \o. 2luftrtti 125 

^efynter 2tuftritt 

£>er £ e in p e 1 1) e i r imb bctlb barauf 2) a j a. 

£em$)ett)err, 

©cijon mebr aU g'nug ! — 3)e§ 3Jtenf$en £>irn fafet fo 
Unenblicf) biel, unb ift bodj mancfnnal and) 

2230 ©0 plo^ttdfj fcoll ! — toon einer $Ieinigfeit 

©0 !pIo|licf) fcoll ! £augt md&tS, taugt m$t§, e3 fei 
2ludE) bott, toobon e3 toiH. — SDo$ nur ©ebulb ! 
3)ie ©eele totrlt ben aufgebunf nen ©toff 
93alb in einanber, fc^afft \id) $taum, unb Sid^t 

2235 Unb Drbnung lommen toieber. — 2ieb' idb benn 
3um erftenmale? — Cber toar, fta3 icfy 
Site Stebe fenne, Stebe nid^t ? — 3ft Siebe 
SWur, toa§ xdf) jeist em^finbe ? . . . 

(bie fief) toon hex Seite tyerfcetgejdjticfyen). 

Slitter I fitter! 
Xetttpetljerv* 

2Ber ruft? — §a, £}qa, 3^r? 

3$ f)abe tnicfy 
2240 33ei il)m i>orbeigefc§Ii$en. 2lber nod? 

$onnf er un§ feljm, too 3^ r ^ a !*#♦ — 3)rum lommt 
3)o$ nafjer ju mir, Winter btefen 33aum. 

Ztmpzlt)tvv. 

2Sa§ gtebt'3 benn? — So get)eimni$tootI? — SSa§ ift'3? 

^a toofyl betrifft e* ein ©etyehnnte, toa§ 
2245 9Jiid) ju ©u$ bringt, unb jtoar ein boppelteS. 



126 Hatfjan ber IPet fe. 

S)a§ eine tt>ei^ nur id); ba3 anbre ftriftt 
■ftur 3$r. — 2Sie ft) at' e§, ft)enn ftrir taufcfyten? 
33ertraut tnir @uer§, fo fcertrau' id) ©u$ 
£)a§ meine. 

£em£elfyerr, 

9Jtit SSergniigcn. — 23enn id) nur 
2250 @rft toeift, toa§ 3$r fur meine§ acfytet. 3)0$ 
Sag ftnrb au§ ©uerrn ftjofyl erfyetten. — $angt 
SRur immer an. 

@i, ben!t bod) ! — ^ein, §err fitter, 
(Srft 3^ r ! *$ folge. — 3)enn t>erfi$ert, mein 
©efjeimni^ lann 6ud) gar ntd^t^ nuijen, ftenn 

2255 3$ nid^t jufcor ba§ Sure I)abe. — -Jliir 

©efd)ft>inb ! — ©enn frag' td&'S @u$ erft ab, fo E>abt 
2$r nid^tS toertrauet. 9Jktn ©el)eimni3 bann 
Sleibt mein ©etyehnnte, unb ba§ (Sure feib 
3$r Io§. — 2)od), armer Slitter! — ©aft tE>r banner 

2260 (Sin folcfy ©el)eimni§ fc>or un3 SBeibern fyaben 
3u fonnen aud) nur glaubt ! 

Sem^enjerr. 

2)a3 ft)ir ju I)aben 
Dft felbft nid&t ftnffen. 

$ann toofyl fein. ©rum muft 
3d) freilicf) erft, @u$ felbft bamit befannt 
3u madden, fd^on bie greunbfcfyaft I)aben. — ®agt: 
2265 2Ba§ bteft benn ba§, baft %bx fo KnaC unb gad 
Su$ au§ bem Staube macf)tet? baft $$r un ^ 
^ ©0 fi£en Iteftet ? — baft 2#r nuu m ^ 9tatl)att 



3. 2luf3iig. to. 21 u f t r 1 1 1. 127 

%l\d)t toteberfommt? — feat SJiedija benn fo toenig 
2tuf ®ud) gerrirJt ? tote ? ober aucb fo bid ? — 
2270 So biel! fo bielJ — Setjrt \$bx be* armen 33ogel§, 

2)er an ber jRute flebt, ©eflat'tre mtdf) 
©od) fennen ! — $urj, geftefyt e§ mtr nur gleici), 
£> a B 3>& r ft e Kebt, liebt bi£ jum Unfinn, unb 
3$ fag' 6uct) toa§ . . . 

3um Unfinn? SBa^rli^ %bx 
2275 33erftet>t ®ud) trefflid* brauf. 

Jhm, gebt mir nur 
£)ie Siebe ju; ben Unfinn toill id) Su$ 
©rlaffen. 

2Beil er fict) bon felbft berftefyt? — 
@in Sempelfyerr ein ^ubenmabcben lieben ! . . . 

©cfjeint freilict) ioenig Sinn ju k)abcn. — So$ 
2280 3 u ^ e ^ ert if* be£ ©inn£ in etner ©acfje 

2lud) meljr, ate toir -bermuten ; unb e3 toare 
©0 unerfyort bod? nicfrt, baft un§ ber ^eUarib 
2luf SBegen ju fid? $oge, bie ber $luge 
95on felbft mdjt leid?t betreten tofirbe. 

3)a3 
2285 ©0 feierlict? ? — (Unb fe^ icB ftatt be3 §et(anb3 
SDie 3Sorfid)t : t?at fie benn nidjt redit?) ^E?r macfyt 
9JtidE) neubegieriger, ate id? toofyl fonft 
3 U fa 11 getoofynt bin. 



]28 HatfyanberlDeife. 

£aja. 

D ! bag ift bag Sanb 
SDer 2Bunber! 

(9ftm ! — be§ 2Bunberbaren. $ann 
2290 (gg and) toofyl anberg fein? 3)ie gan^e SSelt 
SDrctngt fid) ja Ijier jufammciu) — Stebe 3)aja, 
5ftefymt fur geftanben an, toa§ 2# r fcerlangt : 
Saft id) fie liebe, baft id) nid&t begretfe, 
2Sie ofyne fie t$ leben toerbe, baft . . . 

2295 ©etoift? getoift? — So fdjtoort mir, fitter, fie 
3ur ©urigen ju madden, fie ju retten, 
©ie jeitlicfy fyter, fie etoig bort ju retten. 
Xttnpttytxv. 

Unb tote ? — 2Bie f ann idj ? — $ann idf) fdfytoiJren, toag 
3>n meiner 9JJad)t nid)t ftefyt? 

gn (Surer 9Jiadjt 
2300 ©tefyt eg. %<fy bring' eg burcfy ein einjig 2Bort 
Sn Sure SJtacfyt. 

£emt)eUjerr. 

©aft felbft ber Sater nicfytg 
©atoiber tyatte? 

@i, hmg SSater ! SSater ! 
SDer SSater fed fcfyon muff en. 

Ztmpttytxv. 

9Kuffen, ffiaja? — 
5fto$ ift er unter dauber nid^t gefaUen. — 
2305 @r nmft ntcfyt tnilffen. 



3. 21uf3ug. 10. 2luftrttt. 129 

SJiurt, fo mu£ er tooffen, 
2Kuf$ gem am ©nbe tootlen. 

SDIuft unb gem ! — 
35od£j, ©aja, toenr> idb Surf) nun fage, baft 
%& felber biefe 2 ait' ifym anjufd^Iagen 
8'ereiS t>erfud^t ? 

2Bas? unb er pel nidbt em? 
Sempelfjerr, 
2310 @r fiel nut einem 3Jtt^Iaut ein, ber micf) — 
33eleibigte. 

2Ba3 fagt. 3$r«— 2Bie? g$t fcattet 

Sen ©fatten eine3 2Bunf<$e§ nur nadB 3^ed^a 

3^m blicfen laffen, unb er Wax 7 bor greuben 

9^id;t aufgefyrungen? fyatte^. froftlg ft* 

2315 3uriicf gejogen ? bdtie ©dbhnerigfeiten 

©emac^t? 

Sempelfjerr. 

60 ungefabr. 

©0 toiff id& benn 
9Jti$ [anger leinen Stugenblicf bebenfen — 

($aufe.) 
Xem^ettjerr* 
Unb $i)r bebenft ®u$ bocf>? 

2>er gjfann ift fonft 
©0 gut ! — %<fy felber bin fo btel ifym fdmlbig ! — 



130 ZI a tlj a it &er IDeife. 

2320 ©aft er bod) gar ni$t fyoren toill! — @.ott toei^, 
3)a3 §erje blutet mir, xE>n fo ju jtmnflen. 

£em$jell)err* 

^cfy bttt 1 (Sucfy, Saja, fettf micfy furj unb gut 
2tu§ biefer Ungetoiftbeit. ©eib £$* a^r 
s J?o$ felber ungetoifj, 06, h>a§ 3$r fcorfyabt, 
2325 ©ut ober bofe, fdjanbltcf) ober loblicf) 

$u nennen : — fc^toeigt ! 3$ toill fcergeffen, baft 
3br etoa§ ju fcerfdjtoeigen fyabt. 

3)a§ &crrti, 
SCnftatt ju fatten. SRun, fo toifet benn: JfedEja 
3ft feine giibm, if* — ift erne Sfyriftin. 
Sempelfjerr (fait). 
2330 So? 2Biinfd&' @u$ ©liidE ! $at'S fd&toer gefyalten? Safet 
(SudE) nid)t bie SSefyen fcfyreden ! — gfafyret ja 
SUJit @ifer fort, ben §immel ju bebolfern, 
SSenn $br bie @rbe nidjt mefyr lonnt! 

SSie, fitter? 
Serbienet tneine 9?a$rid)t biefen ©pott? 
2335 SDafc Ste^a eirte ©fyriftin ift, bag freuet 
©ud), einen ©fyrtften, einen ^empelfyerrn 
2)er 3$r fie Kebt, m$t mefyr? 

SempeUjerr. 

Sefortbetg, ba 
©ie eine Sljrtftin ift Don Surer 9Jiad)e. 

2lcf) ! fo fcerftefyt gfyr's ? 60 mag'8 gelten ! — 3?ein ! 
2340 SDen toill id) fefyn, ber bie belefyren foil ! 



3. 21 u f 3U g. \o. 2luftritt. 131 

3^v ©IticE ift, tangft ju fein, toa£ fie ju toerben 

gSerborbcn ift. 

£emjjeUjerr. 

Srflart @udj, ober — gef)t ! 

©ie tft em Gfyriftenfinb, bon GBrifteneltern 
©eboren, tft getauft . . . 

£ettt£elf)err foaftig). 

Unb 9iatf)cm? 

2345 3^ 35 a ^ r ! 

£empeH)err. 

9?atbcm ntd^t tyx S3ater ? — SSBifet 
3fer, toaS £f>r fagt? 

2)ie SBa^r&ett, bie fo oft 
Wild) blut'ge ^Bremen toeinen madden. — SRein, 
©r ift Ifyr SSater nicfyt . . . 

Unb tyatte fie 
21 te feme Xocfyter nur erjogen ? fyatte 
2350 35a§ Sbriftenfmb ate etne ^iibtn ficfy 
@rjogen ? 

©an$ getoij3. 

£em£ett)err* 

©ie touftte nidjt, 
9Ba§ fie geboren fei? — Sie f)dtt ; e£ me 
33on ifym erfafjren, bafs fie erne Sfyriftm 
©eboren fei, unb leine giibin? 



132 Hainan ber IDetfe. 

Quia. 

9?ie! 

2355 ©r Ijatt' in biefem SEBa^ne nic^t ba3 $inb 
Sloft auferjogen? lieft ba§ 9flctb$en nocfy 
$n biefem 2Bafyne? 

Seiber ! 
£empeU)err, 

3?attycm — 2Bie? — 
2)er toetfe, gute Sftatfyan fyatte ftdfj 
@rlaubt, bie ©timme ber 9iatur fo jit 

2360 SBerfalfd^en ? — v 2)ie ©rgtefcung eine§ §erjen§ 
©0 ju ^ilenfen, bie, ftd) felbft gelaffen, 
©anj anbre 2Bege nefymen toiirbe ? — ©aja, 
$fjr fjabt mir atterbing3 ettoa3 fcertraut — 
SSon SBidEjttgfeit, — toaS $olgen I)aben fann, — 

2365 3Ba3 midfj bertoirrt, — toorauf idE> gleidE) nic£>t toeife, 
2Ba§ mir ju tfyun. — ©rum lafet mir geit. — ©rum gefyt ! 
@r lommt E>xer toieberum fcorbei. @r mocfyt' 
Un§ iiberfaaen. ©e&t! 

3$ toar' be£ Xobe§! 

Sempelfjerr. 

$cfy bin iljrt je^t ju. fyredjen ganj unb gar 
2370 SRidjjt fal)ig. SBenn ^fyx ifym begegnet, fagt 
3$m rtur, baj$ totr einanber bei bem ©ultan 
©cfyort finben toiirben. 

Slber lafet ©ucfy jja 
9fa$t3 merlen gegen tfyn — 2)a3 foU nur fo 



3. 21uf3ug.. *o. 2luftrttt. 133 

2>en Iei$ten 3)rucf bem Singe geben, foil 
2375 @ u $> ScdJoS tregen, aHe Sfrupel mir 

SBerie frmen ! — SBenn g$r aber bantt fie na$ 
(Suropa fiityrt, fo lafet $fyr bodE) mid? nxd^t 

%tmptl\)tvv. 
Xa§> toirb ]xi) finben. ©etyt nur, ge^t ! 



Mtxitv Mutiny 

(Erftcr 2tuftrttt 

Scene : in ben ^reuagdngen be§ $lofter§. 
£)er ^lofterbruber unb Bdb barauf ber Xempetfyexx. 

SHofterfcruber. 

^a, ja ! er fyat fcfyon red&t, ber ^atriarcfy ! 

2380 @3 fyat mir freilid) nocfy fcort adebem 
Jiicfyt Dtel gelingen tootten, toa8 er mir 
©0 aufgetragen. — 2Barum tragi er mir 
2lud) lauter fold^e ©acfyen auf? — gcfy mag 
SRtd&t fein fein, mag nxd^t itberreben, mag 

2385 SJiein Sfta^cfyen ni$t in aHe3 ftecfen, mag 
9Jlein §anbdjen nicfyt in attem fyaben. — Sin 
3$ borum au§ ber 2BeIt gefdjieben, tcfy 
giir micfy, urn mtd^ fiir anbre mit ber SBelt 
9fa>$ erft rec^t ju fcertoicfeln ? 

SempeUjerr 

(mit <gaft anf ifyn sufommenb). 

©uter ©ruber! 
2390 35a feib %bx ja, $$ §<&' @u$ lange fcfyon 
0efu$t. 

^fofter&ruber. 

3Rtd&, §err? 

134 



/*. 2luf3ug. *. 21uftritt. 135 

£empeftierr. 

3$r lennt micfy frfjon nidjt meljr? 

SHofterfcruber. 

£)oc£), bod? ! %d) glaubte nur, ba£ id& ben £errn 
3jn meinem Seben toieber nie gvi fefyn 
Sefommen toiirbe. 3)enn t$ fyofft' e£ ju 

2395 ®em lieben ©ott. — 25er Hebe ©ott, ber toetft, 
2Bie fauer mir ber Slntrag toarb, ben td£) 
$)em §errn ju tf)un fcerbunben toar, @r toeift, 
Db id) getoiinfd&t, ein offne3 Dfyr bet Sud) 
3u finben, VoetB, tote fefyr tcf) mid? gefreut, 

2400 3™ 3 nner ft en Qefreut, baf$ 2$r f° *unb 
3)a3 aHe§. obne tnet SBebenfen, toon 
@ud) toief't, ft>a3 etnem fitter nid^t gejtemt. — 
9?un lommt $$r bod? ; nun §aV$ bod? nad?geftnrft ! 

SemtJeHjerr. 

$l?r toifet e3 fd?on, toarum id? fomme? $aum 
2405 SBeift id? e3 felbft. 

JHoftertntfeer. 

3$r fyabt'S nun iiberlegt, 
!Qaht nun gefunben, ba# ber ^atriartf) 
©0 unrest bodE) ntd?t i?at; baft G^r' unb ©elb 
£)urd? fetnen 2lnfcblag ju getoimten; ba£ 
6in geinb ein $einb ift, toenn er unfer (Sngel 
2410 2ludE) fiebenmal gett>efen bare. SDa3, 

3)a§ l?abt $l?r nun mit $Ieifd? unb 93Iut ertoogen 
Unb fommt unb tragi ©u$ toieber an. — 21$ ©ott! 

9Jlein frommer, Ueber Mann ! &dt 6ud? jufrieben. 
©estoegen fomm' t$ nicfjt; beStoegen toitt 



136 Hainan ber Itfeife. 

2415 3$ nxd^t ben ^atriardjen fyrecfyen. 9^0$, 
9fo$ ben!' id) fiber jenen $|3unft, tote id) 
©ebacf)t r ur.b tooftV urn otteS in ber SBclt 
©te gute SJleinung nicfyt t>erlieren, beren 
SUJicfy ein fo graber, frommer, lieber 3Jlann 

2420 ©tnmal getofirbigi — 3$ fomme blojs, 
©en ^3atriarcf)en fiber eine ©acfye 
Urn Sftat ju fragen . . . 

Mofterbruber* 

3fyr ben $atriar$en? 
(Sin fitter einen — $f affen ? 

(Sicf) ftf)itdjtern umjefienb.) 

£em£ett)err* 

3a; — bie ©a$' 
3ft giemKd^ tfaffifcfc. 

Softer timber* 

©letd&too&I fragt ber spfaffe 
2425 ©en fitter me, bie ©a$e fei audE) nodj 

©0 rttterltdj, 

%tmpttyzxx. 

2Beit er ba§ SSorred^t tyat, 
©id) ju bergeljn, ba§ unfereiner il)m 
•Kid^t fefyr beneibet. — greilid), toenn \6) nur 
gfir mid) jit Ijanbeln tyatte ; freilicfy, toenn 

2430 3$ SRed^enfd^aft nur mir ju geben fyatte, 
2Ba3 brciutfjt' id) @uer§ ^atriarcfyen? 2l6er 
©etoifje ©inge toill id) lieber f$letf)t 
9tacfy anbrer SBiHen madden, aU aUetn 
Sftacfy meinem gut. — 3 u ^ em / ^ W nun toofyt 

2435 SMftgiott ift aud^ ^artei, unb toer 

©id) brob audj) nod) jo unparteiifcf) glaubt, 
igalt, ol)n' e3 felbft ju toiffen, bocfy nur feiner 



4. 2Iuf3ug. 2. 2Uftrttt. 137 

SDte ©tange. 2Beil ba3 einmal mm jo ift, 
SBirb'g fo ipo^I recEjt fern. 

SUofterbruber. 

£>aju fd&toeig' id; IieBer. 
2440 SDenn id; fcerftef)' ben jperrn nicf)t redjt. 

Sent^elljerr* 

Unb bod) ! — 
(2ajs fefm, Saturn nur eigentlid) ju tfytm! 
Um 3Jlad^tf^rudf> ober 9tat? — Urn lautern ober 
©ere£?rten Slat?) — ^d; ban!' @ud&, 33ruber, ban!' 
@ud) fur ben guten 3Btnf. — 23a§ ^atriard) ? — 

2445 ©eib 3$r mein $atriar$ ! S$ to^tt ja bocfy 
3)en Gljriften tnebr im ^atriarcfjen al§ 
©en Spatriardjen in bem Sfyriften fragen. — 
SDxe <5afy ift bie . . . 

SHofterfcruber. 

5Rid)t toeiter, £>err, nicfyt toetter! 
3Boju? — SDer §err fcerfennt tnidj. — 2Ber biel toeifj, 

2450 £at Diet ju forgen, unb id) Ija&e ja 

2JiidE) Siner ©orge nur gelobt. — D gut! 

§ort! fefyt! Sort Ummt, ju meinem ©liicf, er felbft. 

SBIeibt fyier nur ftetyn. ©r Ijat @u$ fdjon erblidt. 



<?>tt>eiter 2(uftrttt 

3>er ^3 a t r t a r d) , toeldjer ratt a Hem geiftfidjen ^|3omp ben einen 
^treuggcmg Ijerauffommt, unb bie SB r t g e n, 

3$ toxfy tym lieber ai\%. — 28ar' nid)t mein 9Kann ! — 
2455 Sin bider, roter, freunblid^er $ralat ! 
Unb fr>e(d;er $VunI ! 



138 Hattjan ber tDetfe. 

SHofterfcruber* 

^x fofftet tyn erft fe^n 
9Jacfy £>ofe ftcfy erfyeben, 3 e £o Ifimmt 
@r nur fcon einem $ranfen. 

2Bie fid) ba 
9itdE)t ©alabin hrirb fd^amcn miiffen! 

(inbem er nafyer fommt, totnft bem ©ruber). 

$ier ! — 

2460 3)a§ ift ja toofyl ber £empelfyerr. 23a3 toill 

@r? 

SHofterfcruber, 

2Bei£ nid;t. 

^atrtartf) 
(auf tt>rt augefyenb, inbem ber ©ruber unb ba§ (^efolge auriitftreten). 

^Jiun, £err fitter ! — ©efyr erfreut, 
SDen brafcen jungen 9Jtann ju fefyn ! — Si, rtocfr 
©0 gar jung ! — 9^un, mit ©otte£ §ilfe, barau£ 
$ann etoa3 toerben. 

SJieljr, eljrtoitrb'ger £>err, 

2465 SBofyl fcfjtoerlidj, afe f$on ift. Unb efyer no$ 

2Ba^ toeniger. 

^atriartij. 

3d^ toiinfd&e toenigftenS, 
35af$ fo ein frommer SKitter lange rtocfy 
£)er lieben Sfyriftenfyeit, ber @a$e ©otte£ 
3u @fyr' unb gfrommen bliifyn unb griinen moge ! 
2470 S)a§ toirb benn aud? nid^t fefylen, toenn nur fein 
©ie junge STapferfeit bem reifen Kate 



<*. 2Juf3iig. 2, 2Xuftritt. 139 

2)e3 3llter§ folgen toitt ! — 2Somit tocir' fonft 
2) em £>errn ju bienen? 

Xemjjettjerr, 

SJltt bem namlicfyen, 
SBorcm e§ meiner ^ugenb fefylt: mit 2tat. 

^atriartf), 

2475 $t*fy 9 ern - — 5?ur ift ber Nat and) anjunebmen. 

©o$ blinblingS nid^t ? 

^atrtartf). 

23er fagt benn ba§? — ®i freiltdj 
9JJu£ niemanb bie 33ernunft, bie ©ott ifym gab, 
$u brauc^en unterlaffen, — too fie F;in 
©efyort — ©ef)5rt fie aber iiberaU 

2480 2)enn E>tn ? — D nein ! — 3 um Seifpiel : toenn un3 ©ott 
2)ur$ einen feiner ©ngel, — ift ju fagen, 
Quid) einen SMener femes SBort^, — ein 9Jiittel 
93efannt ju madden toiirbtget, bas SBoIjl 
S)er ganjen gfyriftenfyeit, ba£ §eil ber $irdje 

2485 2luf irgenb eine ganj befonbre SBeife 
$u forbern, ju befeftigen: toer barf 
©id? ba no$ unterfteljn, bie SBiflfiir be§, 
35er bie SSemunft erfd^affen, nai) 3Sernunft 
3u unterfucfjen ? unb ba3 etoige 

2490 ©efe£ ber §errlidf)!eit be§ §>immel3, nadE) 
©en Ileinen S^egeln einer eiteln @bre 
$u priifen? — £)od£) Ijiertton genug. — 2Ba3 ift 
@3 benn, toortiber unfern ?ftat fur iefct 
£)er §err fcerlangt? 



140 Zl a titan ber XDeife. 

Xtmpttytxx. 
©efefct, efjrt^urb'ger 33ater, 

2495 @* n S u ^ e ^Stt' em einjig $inb, — e£ fei 

@in SKabc^en, — ba3 er mtt ber groftten ©orgfalt 

gu allem ©uten auferjogen, ba£ 

@r liebe mefyr ate feme ©eele, ba3 

$fyn toieber mtt ber frommften Siebe liebe. 

2500 Unb nun totirb' unferemem fyinterbradjt, 
£>ie§ -JRctbcfyen fei be3 $uben £odf)ter ntd&t; 
@r fyah' e3 in ber $mbfyett aufgelefen, 
©elauft, geftoblen, — h?a8 3$ r ^°^ ! man toifl e > 
®a3 SUtabcfyen fei ein Gfyrtftenfinb unb fei 

2505 ©etauft ; ber gube §ah y e§ nur ate %ub\n 

Srjogen, laff e3 nur ate Siibtn unb 

Site feine %o<fytix fo fcerfmrren : — fagt, 

©fyrtoitrb'ger SSater, toai Wax' fyierbet Vdo^I 

$u t^un? 

^atvtard)* 

9JJt$ fcfjaubert ! — 3)od) ju allererft 
2510 (SrIIare fid& ber §err, ob fo ein $aft 
©in gaftum ober eine §^otI;ef\ 
2)a3 ift ju fagen: ob ber §err fid^> ba3 
■Jiur blofc fo bicfytet, ober ob'3 gefcfyefyn 
llnb fortfafyrt ju gefcfyeljn. 

3$ glaubte, ba§ 
2515 ©ei ein3, urn Guer £o$efyrfr>urben SReinung 
S8I0J3 ju fcernefymen. 

$atriard), 

@in3? — ba fefy' ber §err, 
3Bie fic§ bie ftolje menfcfylidje SSermmft 



*. 2luf3ug. 2. 2luftrttt. 141 

$m ©eiftlid&en bocfy irren fann. — SCRit nicfyten! 

3)enn i[t ber borgetragne gad nur fo 
2520 ®in ©piel be* 33i|e^ fo Derlobnt eg \\d) 

Ser 3Utube ntcfyt, im Srnft ibn burcbjubenfen. 

^cf) toitt ben §>errn bamit auf ba§ Sweater 

SBertoiefen Ijaben, too bcrgleidben pro 

Et contra fid} tnit fcielem SSexfaTC fcnnte 
2525 Sebanbeln laffert. — &at ber §err mid) aber 

DZid^t blojs mit einer t^eatral'fd^en ©djnurre 

3um beften ; ift ber gall em gaftum ; hatV 

6r \id) roobt gar in unfrer 2)ioces', 

3n unfrer lieben ©tabi ^erufalem 
2530 Sraugnet : — ja al^bann — 

£empett)err, 

Unb toa§ alsbann? 
^Satrtartf). 

£>ann Id are an bem ^uben forberfamft 
2)ie ©trafe ju uottjieBn, bie ipapftlid^eS 
Unb latferltdjeS SRcd^t fo einem gretoel, 
©0 einer Saftertfyat beftimmen. 

Xempelljerr, 

©0? 
^atriarrf), 

2535 Unb jtoar beftvmmen obbefagte heebie 
3)em ^uben, toeld^er einen Gbriften jur 
Sfyoftafie berfiibrt, — ben ©dr)eiterr)aufen, 
Sen £oi3fto£ — 

Sempelfjerr. 
©0? 



142 Hainan ber VO etfe. 

%atx\axti). 

Unb n>ie bielmefyr bem $uben, 
©er mit ©etoalt ein arme3 Gljrtftenfinb 
2540 35em SBunbe fetner £auf entreat! 3)enn ift 
9tttf)t atfeS, fta§ man ^inbern tfmt, ©etoalt? — 
$u fagen : — auggenommen, toaS bie $ir$' 
Sin Stiiiton tf>ut. 

Setttpelfyetr, 

SBenn abet nun bag $inb, 
©rbarmte fetner fief) ber gube ni$t, 
2545 33iel(eicfyt im Glenb umgefommen toare? 

y$atxiaxtf). 

%i)ut ni$t£ ! ber $ube tturb fcerbrannt. — SDenn beffer, 
@3 todre ^ier im Slenb umgefommen, 
2tl£ baf} ju feinem etoigen 33erberben 
@g fo gerettet toarb. — $u ^ em / ^ a ^ M 
2550 ©er 3>ube ©ott benn borjugreif en ? ©ott 

$ann, toen er retten tottt, fc^on ofyn' ifm rettcn. 

Xtmpttyzxx. 

Sluc^ trofc ifym, foHt' id) meinen, — felig madden. 

^Jatrtardj. 

£fmt nicfytg! ber 2>ube toirb fcerbrannt. 

SemJjeUjerr. 

SDaS geljt 
SCRtr nafy' ! SBefonberS, ba man fagt, er fya&e 
2555 3)a§ DJJabc^en ntcfyt fotooljl in feinem alS 
SBtelmefyr in feinem ©lauben auferjogen 
Unb fie bon ©ott ni$t mefyr ni$t toemge 
©elefyrt, alg ber SSemunft geniigi 



4, 2Iuf3ug. 2. 2luftritt. 143 

^atrtarcf). 

3tyut nid&tS! 
2)er 3 u ^ e totrb berbrannt . . . ^a, toar' aUettx 

2560 ©d)on bieferftegen tuett, breimal berbrannt 

3u toerben ! — 2Sas ? em Cinb otyn' alien ©lauben 
©rtoad&fen laffen ? — SBie ? bie grofee $fli*t^S 
3u glauben, ganj unb gar ein $mb ntd)t lefjren ? 
2)a§ ift ju arg ! — Wxd) tounberi feljr, §err fitter, 

2565 @ud) felbft . . . 

Sfyrtoiirb'ger igerr, ba§ iibrige, 
SBenn ©ott hriH, in ber Settle, mu ge$n.) 

^atrtartf), 

2Ba§? mir nun 

SRidjt etntnal S^ebe ftefm ? — 35en S35fetoi$t, 

£)en S u ^ en m ^ r n ^^ nennen ? — mir ifm ni$t 

£ur ©telle f cbaffen ? — D, ba foeife id) Slat ! 
2570 3$ get)' fogleicfy jum Sultan. — ©alabin, 

SBermoge ber Capitulation, 

£>ie er befd^tooren, tnufs uns, mu£ un3 fdjut^en, 

Set alien Sied^ten, alien Sefyren fd&itfcen, 

£)ie loir ju unfrcr atlerljeiligften 
2575 Religion nur immer redfmen biirfen ! 

©ottlob! fair Ijaben ba3 Original. 

2Bir l)aben feme §anb, fein ©iegel. 3Bir! — 

2lu$ ma$' \fy ifym gar letdjt begreiflicfy, toie 

©efaljrUcf) felber fiir ben (Btaat e§ ift, 
2580 yiitytZ glauben ! 2ltte blirgerlic^e Sanbe 

©inb aufgelofet, finb jerriffen, Winn 

2)er 9Renfd& m$t§ glauben barf. — §intoeg ! bintoeg 

Wlxt folcfyem grefcel . . . 



144 ZTatfyan ber XPetfe. 

©cfyabe, baft id) nicfyt 
®en trefflidjen ©ermon mtt beffrer 9J}ufce 
2585 ©enieften farm ! 3$ bin jum ©alabin 
©erufen. 

^atriardj* 

^a? — 5Run fo — 9hm freiltcf) — 2)ann — 

$d£) lt>iH ben ©ultan borbereiten, toenn 
@3 Surer §od(?eIjritmrben fo gefaflt. 

$atrtardj* 

D, oty ! — §d) toeifc, ber igerr fyat ©nabe funben 
2590 SSor ©alabin ! — 3$ bitte, meiner rtur 

$m Beften bet if)m etngeben! ju fein. — 

W\d) treibt ber Oxfer ©otte§ lebigHcfy. 

2Ba§ icfy jutuel tlju' tfyu' id) ifym. — £>a§ toolle 

SDod) ja ber £>err ertoagen! — Unb ntd^t toafyr, 
2595 igerr fitter ? ba£ borfyin @rtoai)nte fcon 

SDem $uben tear nur em $roblema? — ift 

Su fagen — 

Xttnpttytxv. 

(Sin ^roblema. 
(®et)t afc.) 

95atrtard), 

(2) em i$ tiefer 
©0$ auf ben ©runb $u fommen fucfyen mufc. 
3)a3 toar' fo toieberum eiu 2luftrag fur 
2600 2) en Srubcr SonafibcS.) — §ier, mem ©of)n! 

(@r tyrtcfyt im Wbgefjn mit bem $fofterbruber.) 



4. 21 u f 3 u g. 5. 21uftrttt. 145 

Drttter Jtuftriti 

Scene: etn Simmer im $atafte be§ Salabtn, in tnelcfyey von Sflaben etne 
Dftenge 53ente( getragen unb auf bem Soben neben etnanber geftellt roerben. 

@ a lab in unb batb barauf @ittal). 

(Bttidbht (ber bagu fommt). 

3l\m toaljrlidf}! bag f?at nod) lein @nbe. — 3ft 
©eg ©ingg no$ t>iel juriuf? 

(Sin @ffa*e. 

2Bof)[ nod? bie §alfte. 
(Ealabht. 
So iragt bag itbrige ju Sittai). — Unb 
2Bo bleibt ati^afi ? ©as i?ier foK fogleid) 

2605 3ll»§afi ju fid) nefymen. — Dber ob 

^dEj'g nidjt tuelmebr bem SSater fcfyide? §ter 
gallt mir eg bod) nur burcb bie ginger. — &toax 
Wan toirb toofyl enblidf) Ijart, unb nun getoift 
(goft'g <Riinfte foften, mir fciel abjujlt)aden. 

2610 33ig ftenigfteng bie ©elber aug Sgi^ten 
3ur ©telle lommen, mag bag 2lrmut fefm, 
2Bie'g fertig totrb ! — 3)te ©penben bei bem ©rabe, 
SBenn bie nur fortgefyn! SBemt bie Gfortftenpilger 
9Wit leeren §anben nur nicfyt ab^ief)n biirfen! 

2615 9Benn nur — 

Stttal). 

2Bag foU nun bag? 22ag foK bag ©elb 
93ei mir? 

(Salabtu. 
3ttacfy bid£) babon bejafylt unb leg 
3tuf SSorrat, toenn toag itbrig blcibt. 



146 Zlattian ber IDetfe- 

3ft Rattan 
3lo<$) mit bem £em!pelljerrn nid£)t ba? 

©alabitu 

@r fud&t 
3$n atter Drten. 

©iefy bod^, toa§ id? fyier, 
2620 S n k m mir fo rnetn alt ©efcfymeibe burcfy 
SDie §anbe gefyt, gefunben. 

(Sfym em Item ©emalbe aetQenb.) 

@alabttt« 

§a! mein SSruber! 
3)a£ ift er, ift er ! — 23ar er ! toar er ! al) ! — 
211), toacfrer, lieber 3 un 9 e / ba$ i$ kt$ 
©0 frilb Verier! 2Ba3 tfatt' id) erft mit bit, 

2625 Sin bemer Sett* erft nnternommen ! — ©ittafy, 

£afc mir ba§ SBilb. 2lud) Icnn' id&'S fcfyort ; er gab 
(S3 beiner altern ©cbtoefter, feiner Sitla, 
©ie eine£ 9Jtorgen§ tfyn fo gartj unb gar 
■Jitcfyt au£ ben Slrmen laffen tt>oUt\ @3 toar 

2630 3)er lefcte, ben er auSritt. — 2lb, id) liefc 
3fyn reiten, unb aHein ! — 211), Sitta ftarb 
23or ©ram unb fyat mir'3 nie fcergeben, baft 
3d) fo allein i£)n reiten laffen, — @r 
Slieb toefl! 

@ttto|« 

$er arme Sruber ! 



<*. 2Iuf3ug. 3. 2Iuftrttt. 147 

Salabut* 

2afc nur gut 
2635 ©ein ! — Sirnnal bleiben toir bodE) atte toeg ! — 
3ubem, — toer toet^ ? £)er Sob ift'3 nicfyt attein, 
3)er einem bungling feiner 2Irt ba3 3iel 
SSerritdEt. @r fyat ber geinbe mefyr, unb oft 
©rliegt ber ©tarifte gleidf) bem ©dbtoacfyften. — 9^un, 
2640 6ei toie ifym fei! — $d) mu£ ba§ 23ilb bodE) mit 
Sent jungen £em£elfyerrn fcergleid^en, mu£ 
3)odE) feljn, tote biel micfy meine ^Ijantafie 
©etaufd&i. 

Stttal). 

yiux barum bring' ic^'g. 2tber gieb 
$0$, gieb ! ^d& totfl bir ba§ toofyl fagen ; ba§ 
2645 SScrfte^t ein toetblicfy Slug' am beften. 

<5alab\n 

(3u eincm Sfjiirftefjer, ber r)ereintrttt). 

2Ber 
3ft ba? — ber Sempetyerr ? — @r fomm' ! 



©itta^ 



Su$ nicfyt 



3u ftoren, ifyn mit meiner Jieugier nidfyt 
gu irren — 
(Sie fefct fief) fetttnctrt§ auf etnen Sofa unb lafet ben Stf)(eier fallen.) 

©alabin, 

©tit fo ! gut! — (Unb nun fein %on ! 
SSie ber toofyl fein totrb ! — 3lffab§ £on 
2650 ©cfylaft and) tooljl too in meiner ©eele nod) !) 



148 Hainan ber IDetfe. 

Pterter tfuftrttt. 

2)er Slempetfyerr imb ©alabtn, 

3$, betn ©efangner, ©ultan . . . 

©alabttu 

9Jkin ©efangner? 
2Sem \d) ba3 Seben fcbenfe, toerb' i$ bem 
3l\6)t and) bie greifyett fofyenfen? 

Xtmptfytxv. 

2Ba3 bit jiemt 
3u tfyun, jicmt mir, erft ju fcerneljmen, nid?t • 
2655 SBorauSjufefcen, 2Iber, Sultan, — ©anf, 
Sefpnbern ©an! bir fiir mein Seben gu 
Seteuern, ftimmt mit meinem ©tanb' unb meinem 
Sljarafter ntd)t. — 63 ftetyt in alien fatten 
3u beinen ©ienften toteber* 

©alabttu 

33rau$' e§ nur 
2660 SRtd^t. totber mid!)! — 3ft>ar *w $ a <* l< §anbe mefyr, 
2)ie giJnnV i$ meinem fjeinbe gem. 3l(Iein 
3fym fo ein §erg autf) mefyr ju gonnen, fattt 
SQZtr fd^toer. — 3$ fyabe mi$ mit bir in ni$t3 
SBetrogen, braber junger SJlann! 2)u bift 
2665 9Kit ©eel 1 unb Seib mein Slffab. ©iefy! i$ lonnte 
©id) fragen, too bu benn bie gauge 3ett 
©eftccft? in toelcfyer §of)Ie bu gefcfylafen? 
3n toeldjem ©inniftan, Son toelcfjer guten 
©it) biefe Slume fort unb fort fo frtfcfy 
2670 (Srfyalten toorben ? ©iefy ! id? lonnte btcfy 






4. 2luf'3ug. 4. Snftritt 149 

Srtnnern tootten, ioas tow bort unb bort 
3ufammen au3gefitbrt. 3$ Bnntc mit 
Sir janfen, bafe bu Sin ©eBeimnte bod^ 
SSor mir geba&t ! Sin 2lbehteuer mir 

2675 ®°$ unterfcfrlagen : — %a, ba§ fount' idf>, toenn 

3d) bid£) nut fdf>' unb nidjt aud£) micf). — Sftun, mag's! 

Son biefer fiifeen i£rctumeret ift immer 

3)od; fo biel toafyx, baft mtr in meinem §erbft 

Gin 2lffab toieber Bluben foil. — S)u bift 

2680 S3 bod£) jufrieben, Slitter? 

Xem}>ett)err. 

3llle3, toa§ 
93on bit mir lommt, — fei teas e3 ftiH — ba§ lag 
Site SBmrfdE? in meiner Seele. 

8alabin. 

Safe un3 ba3 

©ogleid; berfudjen, — Sliebft bu tooM bet mir? 
Urn mir ? — Site Gbrtft, ate Sttufelmann, gleicbbiel ! 
2685 3m toeifeen Sftantel ober gamerlon!; 
^m SEuIban ober beinem gilje : tote 
3)u toittft! @leidE)t>iel! 3$ f?abe nie berlangt, 
$afc alien 33aumen Sine SRinbe toad^fe. 

Xempelljerr. 

©onft toarft bu tooljl aucfy f$toerli$, ber bu btft : 
2690 £>er §elb, ber Iieber ©otte3 (Sartner toare. 

Salabttu 

Stun bann, toenn bu nidbt fcf>Iecf)ter Don mir benlft, 
So toaren four ja balb fcbon ricf)tig ? 

XetttpeUjerr* 

©an§! 



150 Ztatfjan ber IDetfe. 

©atabin 

(if)m bte §ani) btetenb). 
©in 2Bort? 

SCttt)JC^Crr (ein[c§lagettb). 

Sin SJJann ! — £>termtt empfange meljr, 
21(3 bu mir nefymen fonntcft. ©anj ber beine ! 

@alabin« 

2695 $Wo\d ©efainn fiir einen £ag! jutoiel! — 
$am er nid&t mit? 

Sentpetyerr* 

2Ber? 

©alabin, 

9latfyan. 

SettHjelfjerr (frofttg). 

©alabitu 

2BeI$ eine %f)at fcon bit ! Unb Wild) 
Gin toetfeS ©liitf, ba§ eine folcfye 3:fyat 
gum Seften eme8 foldjen 9JJanne3 au£f$Iug. 

Sentyenjerr, 
2700 %a, \a\ 

Salabitt. 

©0 fait? — -Kern, junger 9}tann! toenn ©ott 
2Ba§ ©ute§ bur$ un§ fyut, mufs man fo fait 
9ftrf)t f em ! — felbft au3 Sefd&etbentyeit fo fait 
3l\tf)t fcfyetnen Pollen! 

SentyieHjerc, 

Saft bod) in ber SBelt 
©in }ebe3 ©ing fo manege Seiten l)at! — 



^. 2luf3ttg. <k* 2Iuftrtti 151 

2705 93on benen oft fidE) gar ntdfjjt benlen laftt, 
28te fie jufammenpaffen ! 

(Balaam. 

$alte bid^> 
5Rur immer an bie beft' unb preife ©ottl 
©er tocijs, tote fie jufammenpaffen. — 2lber, 
SBenn bu fo fd&toterig fetrt toiflft, junger 9Jtann, 

2710 ©o.toerb' aud) irf) ja toofyt auf meirter §ut 
9Jlicfy mit bir I)alten miiff en ? Seiber bin 
2tu$ id? ein SDing t>on fcielen ©eiten, bie 
Dft nid^t fo red^t ju paffen fcfjetnen mogen. 






2)a3 fdfjmerjt ! — Qznn 2lrgtooljn ift fo toenig fonft 

2715 9flein fttffltx — 

@afabttt, 

5ftun, fo fage bod), mit toem 
T>u'3 f)aft ? — @3 fc^ien ja gar, mit SRatyan. 2Bie ? 
Stuf 9lat$an Strgtoofm? 3)u? — (Srflar bid^> ! fyrt$! 
Somm, gieb mir beineg 3utraun3 er f* e ^P^obe. 

Seittyetyerr. 

£5$ fyabe toiber Wafyan nid)t3 v £5$ jum' 
2720 2lHein mit mir — 

Unb iiber toa3? 

Setttyenjerr, 

2)aj3 mir 

©etraumt, ein $ube Unri audE) toofyl ein $ube 

$11 fein fcerlernen ; ba£ mir toadf)enb fo 

©etraumt. 

Salabm, 

§erau3 mit biefem toadjen Xraume! 



152 Zl a tl\ an be r VO eife. 

Sem^eUjerr, 

®u toeiftt t)on 3Zat^an§ £od)ter, ©ultan. 2Ba§ 
2725 $d) fiir fie tfyat, ba§ tfyat id), — tr>etl id&'g tfyat. 
$u ftolj, £)anf ctnjujrnten, too id) ifm 
9ftd)t faete, fc>erf$mal)t' id) Stag fiir £ag, 
©a£ 9JJabd)en nod) einmal ju fefyrt. ©er SSater 
2Bar fern; er fommt; er l)ort; er fud)t mid) auf; 
2730 ©r banft ; er toiinfd)t, ba£ feme £od)ter mir 
©efallen moge, fyricfyt Don 2tu§fid^t / tyricbt 
SSon /^extern gernen. — ytun, id) laffe tmdf) 
33efd)toai3en, fomme, fel)e, finbe totrfltcfy 
©in 9Jiabd)en . ♦ . 511), id) mufj mid) fd)amen, ©ultan ! - 

2735 ©id) fd)amen? — baf$ ein 3 u ^ enm ^^^n auf 
©id) ©inbrud mad)te, bod) toofyl nimmermel)r? 

Xem^el^err. 

©af$ biefem ©nbrucf auf ba§ lieblidje 
©efd)toa£ be§ 3Sater3 I)in, mein rafd)e3 §erj 
©0 toemg SBiberftanb entgegenfe^te ! — 
2740 $d) £ro!pf ! td) f!prang jum jtoeitenmal in3 $euer. — 
©enn nun toarb id), unb nun toarb id; t>erfd)mal)t. 

©atabuu 

aSerfc^maf)t? 

Sempettjerr ♦ 

©er toeife 33ater fd)Iagt nun too[;I 

SJJid) :plaiterbing§ md;t au§. ©er toeife SSater 

SRufs after bocfy fief) erft erfunben, erft 

2745 SBefinnen. Sllterbtngg ! Xi)at icf) benn ba3 

9facfyt aud)? ©rfunbete, Befann ic6 benn 

9Jlid£) erft nid)t and), al§ fie im geuer fd)rte? — 

giirtoal)r ! bet ©ott ! G§ ift bod^ gar toa§ ©d£)one£, 

©0 toeife, fo bebad^tig fein! 



*. 2luf3ug. ^ 2luftrttt. 153 

<5a(abitt> 

9?un, nun ! 
2750 ©0 ftefy bod^ einem Sllten ettoa3 na$ ! 
2£ie lange fijnnen feine SBeigerungen 
3)cnn bauern? 2Birb er benn bon bir berlangen, 
2)afe bu erft $ube tterben follft? 

Setttpetyeirr. 

2Ber toeift ! 
8alabtn. 
SBer fr>ei£ ? — ber biefen 3lati)an beffer fennt. 

2755 3)er 2l6erglaub r , in bem toir aufgetoad^feit, 
SSerliert, and) tvmn fair ifyn erfennen, barum 
3)o$ feine 3Ha$t nidbt iiber unS. — @3 finb 
9ii$t atte fret, bie tfyrer $etten gotten. 

Salabttt. 

©efyr reif Bemerft ! 3)o$ $Ratfyan toafyrlicfr, Sftafyan . . . 

^empeUjerr* 

2760 ®er 2l6erglauben fd)limmfter ift, ben feinen 
giir ben ertraglidjjern ju fallen . . . 

Salabttt, 

gjfag 
2Bot)l fein! £)od) 5ftaiban . . . 

Settt^elfyerir. 

SDem aUein 
S)ie blobe 9ftenfd)Ijeit ju bertrauen, bi£ 
©ie !)eHern SBatyrfyettStag getoofme; bem 
2765 2tUein ... 



154 XI a tl\ an &er IDetfe. 

SataMtt* 

©ut ! Stber 9tat&an! — SRatfyanS 2o3 
3ft biefe ©d&toad&fyeit nid&t. 

£emt>elljertr, 

©o bad)t' tdj cutd) ! . , 
2Betm gleidjtoofyl biefer 2lu3bunb atter 9Jienfdf)en 
©o ein gemeiner gube toare, baft 
®r S^rtftenftnbcr ju befommen fucfyte, 
2770 Urn fie alS guben aufjugiefyn: — toie bann? 

©alabitt, 

2Ber fagt tfym fo toaS na$? 

Xem^clljcrr. 

£>a* 9J?ab$en felbft, 
gjlit toeld^er er micfy fornt, mit beren §offnung 
@r gem mix ju bejafylen fd^iene, toaS 
3dE) nid^t umfonft fiir fie getfyan foil fyahm: — 
2775 S5ie§ 3Rab$en felbft ift feine £od£)ter — nid^t, 
3ft ein fcerjettelt ©fyriftenftnb. 

@alabitt« 

£)a§ er 
S)em ungead^tet bir nicfyt geben tooUte? 

Semjje^err (Httg). 
SBoIP ober tootte ntd&t ! ®r ift entbecft. 
S)er tolerante ©cfyfr>at$er ift entbecft ! 
2780 3$ toerbe Winter biefen jub'fc^en SOBoIf 
3m pfyilofop^fd&en ©cfyafyelj §unbe fdfjon 
3u bringen totffen, bie tfyn jaufen fotten ! 



4. ZUfsug. v 21uftrttt. 155 

<2a(abttt (ernft). 

©ei ruf)tg, Shrift ! 

Xempetyeirr. 

28ae? rufng, Shrift? — SBenn Sub 1 

Unb SJtufelmann auf %\xV, auf 3RufcImann 
2785 SBeftetyen, foil alletn ber Sfyrift ben Gfjriften 
3lxfyt madden biirfen? 

(Baldwin (nod& ernfter). 

3Mig, Shrift ! 

Xem^cl^ert (gelafjen). 

£)e£ 93orfturf3 ganje Saft, — bie ©alabin 
$n biefe Silbe prefct ! 2(f), toenn id) toiifcte, 
2Bie Slffab, — SHCffab fid) an meiner ©telle 
2790 §ierbei genommen batti ! 

Salabht, 

3ttcf)t biel beffer ! — 
SSermutlid), ganj fo braufenb ! — 2)0$, toer fyat 
2)enn bid) aucfy fd)on gelel)rt, micfy fo hrie er 
SSKtt Stnem -ffiorte gu befte^en? greilicfy, 
SBenn atte£ fid) berljalt, tote bu mir fageft, 

2795 ^cinn icf) mid) felber faum in Sftatfyan finben. — 
Snbep, er ift mein greunb, unb meiner ?5reunbe 
9Uhi£ leiner mit bem anbern fyabern. — Sap 
®i$ toeifen! ©el) befmtfam ! © iefrjjfen nid£)t 
Sofort ben ©dbtoarmern betne3 ;$obeI§ !prei3 ! 

2800 SBerfd^toeig, toa$ beine ©eiftlicf)feit an \i)\n 
$u radjen mir fo nabe legen toiirbe ! 
©ei feinem ^uben, leinem Sftufelmanne 
3um £ro£ ein Sfyrift ! 



156 XI a tl\ an ber W eife, 

£Salb tuar'8 bamit ju fpat ! 
SDo$ ©an! ber Slutbegier be£ ^3atrtarcfyen, 
2805 35e3 2Berfjeug mir ju toerben graute ! 

@alabttt; 

2Bie? 
3)u famft jum $atriarc£)en efyer al§ 
3u mir? 

Xttnptltjtxv. 

$m ©turm ber Seibenfdfmft, im 3BirbeI 
2)er Unentfcfyloffenfyeit ! — SSerjeif) ! — 35u toirft 
9Son beinem Slffab, fiird&t' i$, ferner nun 
2810 SRictytS mefyr in mir erfennen toollen. 

©alabttu 

2Bar' 
@3 biefe $ur$t m$t felbft ! mid) biinft, id) tocifj, 
2(u3 toeldfyen $efylem unfre Sugenb f emit. #***• 
$fleg biefe ferner nur, unb jene foUcn 
93ei mir bir toenig fcfyaben. — 2Iber gel) ! 
2815 ©u$ bu nun Sftatfyan, tote er bid) gefudf^t, 

Unb bring ifm I)er. %d) muft eud) beefy jufammen 
SSerftanbtgen. — SEar' urn ba§ SNabd&en bir 
^m ©rnft ju tfyun: fei rufyig. ©ie ift bein! 
2lucfy foil e3 Station fd)on empfinben, baft 
2820 @r oljne ©cfytoeinefleifd) ein ©fyriftenfinb 
©rjie^en biirfen ! — ©el) ! 

(2)er £etnpetf)err (jetyt ab, unb Stttal) bertafjt ben Sofa.) 



<*♦ 2luf3-ug. 5. 2luftritt. 157 

^finfter tfuftrttt 

@ a 1 a b t n unb @ i 1 1 a Ij. 

©anj fonberbar! 
Safabht, 
©elt, ©tttaty? 9ftu£ mein Slffab nicfyt cin braber, 
©in fdjoner junger 9Jtann ■ getoefen fein ? 

6ittt|. 

SBenn er jo toar, unb ntd^t ju biefem Silbe 
^825 2)er Sempelfjerr btelmefyr gcfeffen ! — 2lber 
2Bte fyaft bu bod^ bergeffen fonnen, bi$ 
5Rad^ feinen ©Item ju erfunbigen? 

(gafabht. 

Unb inSbefonbre tuoE^I nacf) f enter Gutter? 
Db feine DJtutter bier ju Sanbe nie 
2830 ©etoefen fei? — 3ftd£>t toafyr? 

<Bittaf). 

5Da§ macfyft bu gut! 
Salabitt. 

D, mbglid^cr tear' ntcfyt*! Qenn 2Iffab toar 
93ei fyitbfcfyen Efyriftenbamen fo totHfommen, 
2luf fyiibfctye Sfyriftenbamen fo erptd&t, 
35a£ einmal gar bie 9tebe ging — -Kurt, nun, 
2835 SOian tyricfyt nid^t gern babon. — ©enug, id) tyab' 
3$n toteber ! — toill nut alien fetnen gefylern, 
9Jtit alien Caunen fetne£ toeid^en §erjen§ 
$$n toteber fyaben ! — Dfy ! ba3 3Jiab$en tnuft 
3$m Sftatljan geben. SDietnft bu ntcfyt? 



158 Ha t ffatt ber W cife. 

©tttafj. 

3$m geben? 
2840 3#m laffen ! 

2iaerbing3 ! 2Ba3 fyatie 9?atfyan, 
©obalb er nitf)t if>r SSater ift, filr 9te$t 
2luf fie? SSer ifyr ba£ Seben fo erfyielt, 
Sritt etngxg in bie Siedjte be§, ber ifyr 
@§ gab. 

2Sie alfo, ©alabin? mnn bu 

2845 ^ ur 0^$ ba§ 9Jicibcf)en ju bir nafymft? ©ie nur 

2)em unre$tmaf$igen 33efi£er gletcfy 

©nt^ogeft? 

Salabitt; 

Sfyate ba§ toobt not? 

■ftot nun 
SBotyt eben nidjt ! — ©ie Hebe 9?eubegter 
^reibt micfy allein, bir biefen 3tat ju geben. 
2850 Qtrxn t>on getotffen SJJannern mag id) gar 
$u gem fo balb tote mogltcfy toiffen, toa3 
©ie filr ein Sftabdfjen lieben lonnen. 

©alabut, 

9?un, 
©0 fd&icf unb lafc fie fyolen. 

©tttalj, 

S)arf id?, ©ruber? 
©alabttu 

5ftur fcfyone 3latljan§! Sftat^an mu| burcbauS 
2855 9ft$t gtauben, baf$ man mit ©etoalt ifyn fcon 
2#r trennen toolle. 



4fc. 2luf3ng. 6. 21 u f t r i 1 1. 159 

Stttafj, 

(gorge ntd&t. 
8a(abttt, 

Unb t$, 
3$ mufc ftf)on felbft fefyn, too SHs$a{t bleibt. 



Secf?fter 2tuftritt 

Scene: bie offne Stnr in ftatfyany §aufe, gegen bie 5|)almen an, trie tm 
erften ^luftrttte be* erften 2lnf3uge§. Gin Set! ber 23ctren unb $oftbar= 
leiten [teat aulgeframt, beren ebenbafelbft gebadjt totrb. 

•ft at I) an unb S)aja. 

D, aHeS lperrltd£> ! Sttte^ au^erlefen ! 
D, alley — tote nur 2$r e ^ S e ^ en fonnt. 
2860 2Bo totrb ber ©tlberftoff mit golbnen 9Janfen 
@emad?t? 2Ba§ foftet er? — S)a§ nam 1 idfj nocfy 
©in SBrautfleib ! $eine ^onigin berlangt 
@3 beffer. 

Srautfleib? 2Barum SBrautfleib eBen? 

$e nun! 3#r battel baran freilicf) nid^t, 
2865 2118 Sfyr il)n fauftet. — 2I6er toa£?rltd6, 3?atfyan, 
3)er unb fein anbrer tnujs e£ fein I Gr ift 
3um Srautlleib tote befieffi £>er toetfee ©runb 
@tn 33ilb ber Unfcbuib, unb bte golbnen Strome, 
3)te aller Drien biefen ©runb burdifcbldngeln, 
2870 (Sin SStlb be3 2teid£)tum3. ©e&t £br? SWerltebft I 



160 Hainan ber IPeife. 

Nathan. 
2Ba3 *m|elft bu tnir ba? 23on toeffen Srautfletb 
©mnbtlberft bu mir fo geleljrt ? — 33ift bu 
SDenn SBraut? 

3*? 

^atfjatt, 

5ftun toer benn ? 

3$? — Ueber ©ott! 
matyan. 

2Ber benn? 23on tDeffen Srautfleib fpricfyft bu benn? — 
2875 3)a8"affe3 ift ja bein unb feiner anbern. 

3ft mein? ©oil mem f exn ? — 3ft fur 3iedE)a ttid&t? 
SBatftatt. 

2Ba§ idf) fur ^edEja mitgebradjt, ba§ liegt 
3n etnem anbern SBallen. 3Jtad^ ! nimm toeg I 
Strag beine ©iebenfad;en fort ! 

33erfu$er ! 
2880 SRein / toaren e3 bie ^oftbarfeiten ami) 

3)er ganjen SBcIt ! 9ftd)t rttfyr an! tt)enn 3fy r wir 
SBorfyer mcfyt fd^toort, Don biefer etnjtgen 
©elegenfyeit, bergleicfyen @mf> ber §immel 
3l\6)t jtoetmal fctyicfen toirb, ©ebraucfy $u madden, 

2885 ©ebraudf) ? bon toa3 ? — ©elegenfyeit ? tooju ? 

D ftefitt @u$ md&t fo fremb ! — 3Jtit lurjen 2Sorten : 
£)er %empstym liebt 2ted)a; gebt fie ifym! 



%. auf^ug. 6. 2Xuftrttt. 161 

©o bat bod^ einmal Sure ©itnbe, bie 

3$ langer ni<f)t berfdfjtoeigen fann, ein @nbe. 

2890 So fommt ba3 9JJabcf>en toteber unter Gbrtften, 
2Birb toieber, toaS fie ift, ift ftieber, toa£ 
6ie toarb : unb 2$r, $fyr ^ a ^ m ^ a ^ ^ em ©uten, 
£)a§ fair @udE) nicf)t genug fcerbanfen fonnen, 
9W$t $euerfof)Ien bfo£ auf Guer £>aupt 

2895 ©efammelt. 

35o$ bie alte Seier toteber? — 
SCRit einer neuen Saite nur bejogen, 
SDie, furd&t' icfy, toeber ftimmt nocf) fyalt. 

28ie fo? 
SRatljatu 

W\x toar' ber ;£em!pe[I)err fcfjon recfyt. 3bm gonnt' 
$cfy 9tedE)a mefyr aU einem in ber 28elt. 
2900 Slttetn . . . 9hm, ^abc nur ©ebulb. 

©ebulb? 

©ebulb ift Sure alte Seier nun 

2Bo$l ntcfet? 

Mutant. 

9tur toenig £age no$ ©ebulb ! 

Siefy bocf) ! — 9Ber fommt benn bort ? gin Slofterbruber ? 

©el), frag ifyn, toa§ er toUL 

28a§ toirb er tootten? 

(Ste gefyt auf iljn gu unb fragt.) 

SRatijatu 

2905 ©0 gieb! —unb ef)' er bittet. — (SBufet' id) nur 
£)em Sempelberrn erft beijufommen, obne 



162 Hainan berlDetfe. 

®ie Urfacfy meiner 9teugier ifym $u fagen! 
®enn toznn icfy fie ifym fag', urtb ber SSerbad^t 
3ft ofyne ©runb, fo fyab' tcfy ganj umfonft 
2910 £)en Sater auf bag ©ptel gefe^i) — 2Ba3 iff 8? 

$)aja, 

@r toill @ucfy fprecfyen. 

?Jun, fo lafe ifyn fommen, 
Unb gel? tnbe£. 



Stebenter 2tuftrttt 
9?atf)an unb ber $lofterbruber, " 

(34> bliebe 3tedja§ SSater 
©0$ gar ju gem! — gto^ Icxnn icfy'3 benn m$t bleiben, 
2(ud> toetm id; auf^or', e3 511 Ijeifeen? — $f)t, 
2915 gfyr felbft toerb' td&'S bod) immer aud) no$ fyetften, 
2Benn fie erfennt, tote gem td^'8 toare.) — ©efy ! — 
2Ba§ ift in <&nzxn ©tenften, frommer Sruber? 

JHofterliruber* 
Sliest eben triel. — 3>$ f**ue mid^, §err -ftatfyan, 
®utf) annod; toofyl ju fefyru 

9tafyan. 

©0 fennt 3$r tnidf)? 

©tofterbruber* 
2920 ge w«/ tow fennt Su$ ni$t ? 2$r Ijabt fo mancfyem 
3a @uew 9iamen in bie §anb gebriicft. 
@r fieljt in meiner and) feit fcielen SJafyren. 



4. 2luf$ug. 7. Sluftrttt. 163 

Sttatljiro 

(nacf) feinem Seutel langenb). 
$ommt, 33ruber, fommt; id& frifdf^ ifyn auf. 

SHofterbruber. 
^Uw §abt ®anf! 

SdE> Vx>urb r e3 Strmern ftefylen, nefyme nicfytg. — 
2925 2Benn Sfyr mir nur erlauben iooHt, ein toemg 
Sucfy me in en 9?amen aufjufrifeben. 3)enn 
3dE) fann mid) ritfymen, and) in Sure £anb 
@ttoa£ gelegt jn fyaben, toas nid£)t ju 
33era$ten toar. 

95erjeif)t ! — 3$ j^ame mid? — 
2930 ©agt, h>aS? — imb neljmt jur'Sufje fiebenfad) 
£)en SBert be^felben bon mir an. 

SHofterbruber. 

§ort bod^ 
33or alien ©ingen, tote tdf) felber nur 
©rft Ijeut' an bieS mein @udj> toertrauteS $fanb 
©rinnert foorben. 

mix fcertrauteS $fanb? 
SHofterbruber, 
2935 $ or furjem faft id) nod) aU ©remit 
2luf Quarantana, untoett $eridf)o. 
3)a lam arabifdt) Sftaubgefinbel, brad) 
SJlein ©otte^f)dugd£)en ah unb meine 3 e #e 
Unb fd^Iejfyte micfy mit fort. 3 um ©Kief entfam 
2940 3<f; noc^ unb flol) fyierfyer jum ^atrtarcfyen, 
Urn mir ein anber ^3Id^d;en au^ubttten, 



164 ZT at fyan ber XD etfe. 

9lDtoo id) meinem ©ott in ©infamleit ■ 
33i3 an mem felig @nbe bienen fonne. 

9latf)<m. 

%<$) ftefy' auf $ofyten, guter Sruber. 9JJa$t 
2945 ©3 furs. 3)a§ $fanb ! ba§ mir fcertraute $fanb ! 

$Hofterfcruber, 

©ogleicfy, §err SRat^an. — ^Jiun, ber ^atriarcfy 
23erft>ra$ mir eine ©iebelei auf Sfyabor, 
(Sobalb aU eine leer, unb Heft injtotfcfyen 
^m Softer mid) ate Saienbruber bleiben. 
2950 35a bin i$ jefct, §err S^atfyan, unb fcerlange 
©e§ £ag§ toofyl Ijunbertmal auf Slfyabor, 3)enn 
©er ^Satrxard^ braudjt mi$ ju allerlet, 
■JBofcor ic§ grofcen (Sfel fyabe. 3um 
©jempel : 

2)?ac^t, id) Ktf (5ucf> ! 

^Hofterfcruber, 

•9tun, e3 lommt! 
2955 35a fyat ifym jemanb fyeut' in£ Dfyr gefe^t, 
{£§ Iebe Ijter fyerum ein ^vtit, ber 
@in 6f)riftenlinb al3 feine £o$ter ftd) 
(Srjoge. 

Nathan. 

2Bie? (SBetroffen.) 

SHofter&ruber, 

§ort mxd£) nur au£ ! — ^nbem 
6r mir nun auftragt, biefem SJuben ftradfo, 
2960 2Bo mogltd), auf bie ©pur ju fommen, unb 
©etoaltig fidj ob eine3 foldjen grefeel* 



/*. 21 u f.3 u 9. 7. 2luftrttt. 165 



4 



©rjiirnt, ber ifym bie ftmtyre ©itnbe toiber 

©en fyeiPgen ©eift bebiinft ; — ba3 ift, bie ©tinbe, 

SDie aHer ©ttnben groftte ©unb' un£ gilt, 

2965 3l\xx baj$ toir y ©ott f ex ©an!, fo redfjt nid)t toiffen, 
2Borin fie eigentlicfy Beftetyt : — ba tuad^t 
9J?it einmal mein ©eftrifjen auf, unb mir 
%aftt bet, id? lonnte felber toofyl fcor getten 
,3u biefer unberjeiljIidE) grofsen ©itnbe 

2970 ©etegenljeit gegebert fyabm. — ©agt : 

§at @u$ ein SKeitfnedEjt mcfyt Dor acfytjeEm ^afyren 
©in S£ocf)ter$en gebracfyt toon toenig 2Bo$en? 

28ie ba§? — $Jtun freilidt) — atlerbing^ — 

fifofter&ruber, 

@i, fe^t 

9J{i$ bocf) recf)t an ! — 3)er 9teitfnec§t, ber bin t$, 

2975 ©eib 3#r? 

SUofterbruber, 

3)er §err, Don ftelc^em id£>'3 @u$ bradfyte, 
2Bar — ift tnir recfyt — ein §err Don gilnel. — SBBoIf 

3Son gilncl! 

Sttatljatu 
SKd&ttfl! 

SUofterbritber, 

SBeil bie Gutter futj 
Sorter geftorben toar, unb ft$ ber 3Sater 
3^ad^ — mein' id) — ©ajja :pIoi$li$ toerfen mufcte, 
2980 2Bof)in ba§ SSitrmcfyen tfym nid;t folgen fonnte, 
©0 fanbf er'3 @ucfy. Unb traf i$ @udi> bamit 
9Wd&t in ®arun? 



166 Hainan ber ID eife. 

Watijatt, 

©anj re$t! 
gfofterbruber, 

©3 tear' fern SBunber, 
2Benn mein ©ebctcf)tni3 mi$ betrog\ 3$ ^fl^c 
3)er brafcen §errn fo k>iel gefyabt, unb biefem 
2985 §ab' id; nur gar ju furje 3ett gebtent. 
@r blieb balb brauf bet 2I§falon unb tear 
3Bofyl fonft em Iteber §err. 

Haitian, 

$a tootyl ! ja tootyl ! 
©em id) fo iriel, fo fctel ju banlen ^abe! 
3)er mefyr alS einmal mid) bem ©d)toert entrtffen ! 

gfofterfcruber, 

2990 D fcfyon ! ©0 tocrb't 2$r feineS £od)ter$en3 
@ud) urn fo Iteber angenommen fyaben. 

9?atl)att. 

©a3 fount S$t benfen. 

SHofterfiruber, 

9fam, too ift e3 beun? 
@3 ift bod^ tooljl nic^t ettoa gar geftorben ? — 
Sa^fS lieber nid^t geftorben fetn ! — SSenn fonft 
2995 ^ ur niemanb urn bie ©acfye toeift, fo tyat 
@3 gute 2Bege. 

§at e3? 

Sfofierfirttber, 

£raut tmr, SRattyan! 
©enn fe§t, idE) ben!e fo ! 2Senn an ba§ ®ute, 
SDa§ \i) ,ju tfyun bermeine, gar ju nal) 



%. 21 u f 3 u g. 7. auftritt. 167 

2Sa§ gar $u ©cfylimmeS grenjt, fo fyu' id£> Ite&er 

3000 £)a§ ©ute nicfyt; tr>etl toir ba§ ©djlimme jtoar 
©0 jiemlid^ gut>erlaffig fennen, aber 
Set toeiten ntd^t ba§ ©ute. — SBar ja toofyl 
9laturli$, toenn ba§ @fyriftentod)ier$en 
SKed&t gut bon @ud) erjogen toerben foUte, 

3005 ®aft 3^3 al3 @uer eigen £od;ter$en 
grjogt. — 2)a§ fyattet 3§r mit atler 2ieb ? 
ilnb SCreue nun getfyan, unb miifitet fo 
33eloIjnet toerben? £)a§ hriH mir nxd^t em. 
@i freilidf?, linger fyattet 3$r getl)an, 

3010 2Benn 3$r bie Gfyriftin burd) bie gtr>eite §anb 
2lte Sljrifiin auferjiefyen laffcnj aber 
©0 fyattet %fyx ba3 $inb$en 6ure§ greunbS 
2Iud) ntd^t geliebt. Unb $inber braudjen Siebe, 
2Bar'<§ eine§ toilben 3:iere§ Sieb' and) nur, 

3015 3 n fallen 3^ ren me ^ r a ^ Gfyriftentum. 
gum Gljriftentume fyat'3 no$ immer 3ett. 
22enn nur ba§ 3Mb$en fonft gefunb unb fromm 
SSor @uern 2tugen aufgefaadjfen ift, 
©0 blieb'3 t>or ©otte3 2Iugen, u>a8 e§ toar. 

3020 Unb ift benn nic^t ba3 ganje Sfyrtftentum 
2tuf3 gubentum gebaut? @3 bat micfy oft 
©eargert, tyat mir £E)ranen g'mtg gefoftet, 
SBenn ©^rtften gar fo fetyr fcergeffen fonnten, 
®afc unfer §err ja felbft ein gube toar. 

SRatljatu 

3025 3#r, guter Sruber, miijst mein giirfprad) fern, 
SBenn §aft unb ©Letfcnerei fi$ gegen mi$ 
©rfyeben foUten — toegen einer S^at — 
2lf>, toegen einer £l)at! — 9?ur %fyx, 3$r fottt 



168 ttatban ber rDetfe. 

©ie toiffen ! — Sftetymt fie aber mit in3 ©rab ! 

3030 Wod) Ijat mi$ nie bie ©ttelfeit berfucfyt, 
©ie jemanb anbern ju erjafylen. (5ud) 
2lllein erjafjP tcfy fie. 2)er frommen Sinfalt 
2tHem erjafjr id) fie. SBeil bie aHein 
33erftef)t, fta3 fief) ber gottergebne Wenfcfy 

3035 giir 3:l)aten abgetoinnen fann. 

^lofterbruber. 

S$r feib 
©eriityrt, unb @uer Sluge ftefyt fcoH SBaffer? 

%f)t traft midj mit bem $mbe ju ®arun. 
2$r toilet toofyl aber nicfyt, bafc toenig Sage 
gufcor in ©atfy bie Gfjriften atte 3 u ken 

3040 3Jiit 2Beib unb $inb ermorbet fatten, ftnfct 
2BoI)l nttfjt, baj$ unter biefen meine grau 
9Jtit fieben fyoffnungSfcoflen ©oEmen ft$ 
23efunben, bie in meine§ 33ruber3 §aufe, 
Qu bem id) fie gef(itd£)tet, in^gefamt 

3045 33erbrennen muff en. 

Sfofterfcruber, 

SCftgerecfyter ! 

9?atf)atu 

^x famt, fyati' id? brei Sag' unb m$V in 2tfc^> > 

Unb ©taub bor ©ott gelegen unb getoeint. — 
©etoeint? Seiner mit ©ott aucfy tooljl geredfjtet, 
©ejttrnt, getobt, micfy unb bie SBelt t)ertoiinfc^t, 
3050 3)er ©fyrtftenfyeit ben unberfofynlicfyften 
§aft jugefefytooren — 



<*. 2luf3ug. 7. 2tnftrt it. 169 

£(ofterfcrubet\ 

2tc§ ! 3d; gtaub'S @ud) too^I I 
Wafljatt. 

©od) nun fam bte 3Sernunft allmafylicf) toieber, 
©te fyrad) nut fanfter ©timm': „Unb bod? ift ©ott! 
2)od) tear audj ©otte§ 5tatfdjlu£ ba3 ! SBofylcm ! 

3055 Somm ! tibe, fca3 bu langft begriffen fyaft, 
3Ba3 fidfyerlidfj ju itben fcfytoerer nic^t 
2113 ju begreifen ift, toenn bu nur ftullft. 
©te$ auf!" — 3d& ftanb ! unb rief ju ©ott: 3$ tottt! 
. 2BtHft bu nur, baft id) h>iH ! — gnbem ftiegt ^x 

3060 33om ^3ferb' unb iiberreicfytet mir ba§ $inb, 
3n gucrn SWantel eingefmttt. — 2Ba§ 3ftr 
9Jlir bamate fagtet, toa3 id) Sud), f)ab' id) 
SBcrgeffen. ©0 fctel toeift id) nur: icf) naf)m 
£)a£ $inb, trug'S auf mein Sager, luftt' e§, toarf 

3065 9Jti$ auf bie $nie unb fdjlud^te : ©ott ! auf fiebcn 
3)od) nun fdEjon eines toieber! 

^lofterfcruber. 

9?atf>an! 9iatfyan! 
Sfyr feib ein Shrift ! — Sei ©ott, gfyr fetb ein Shrift ! 
(Sin beffrer ©Ijrift toar me! 

sRatfjan. 

3Sof)l un§! ©enn toa§ 
9Jtid) @ud) jum Gfyriften macfyt, ba3 mad)t Gucfy mir 

3070 gum gubcn ! — 2lber lafet un§ (anger nid)t 
Sinanber nur erftetd)en. §ter braucfyt'3 £I)at! 
Unb ob mi$ fiebenfadje Siebe fcfyon 
33alb an bteS einj'ge frembe SRdbd^en banb, 
Db ber ©ebanfe mtcfj fcfion totet, baft 

3075 3$ meine fieben ©ofyn in iljr auf3 neue 



170 Ha tli a it *>er IDeife. 

SSerlieren foil : — toenn fie bon meinen §anben 
S)ie SSorftd^t toieber forbert, — icfy gefyorcfye! 

Mofterfirubcr, 

9Jun i)oUenb§ ! — ©ben ba3 bebacfyt' icfy midE} 
©o triel, 6ud) anjuraten ! Unb fo tyat'8 
3080 @u$ @uer gutcr ©eift fcfyon angeraten! 

Hatijatt. 

9?ur mu£ ber erfte befte mir fie nicfyt 

©ntreiften Pollen! 

tfofterfcrttber, 
SRein, getoift nicfyt! 

2Ber 
2luf fie mcfyt groffre SKecfyte fyat ate icfy, 
SfJtufe friifyere jum minften fyaben — 

®lofter&rubet\ 



ftatyait. 

3085 SDie ifym 5iatur unb SBIut erteilen. 
JHafterbntber* 



greilicf) ! 



©0 



3Jletn > i$ e3 au$ ! 

SDrum nennt mir nur gefd&toinb 
®en 9Jlann, ber if)r ate SBruber ober Dfym, 
Site Setter ober fonft ate ©i!p:p bertoanbt : 
2$m toitl tcf) fie nid^t fcorentljalten — fie, 
3090 3Die jebe^ £>aufe3, jebe3 @lauben£ $terbe 
gu fein erfdjaffen unb erjogen toarb. — 
3$ ^off*, 3$r tt)i|t Don biefem ©uern §errn 
Unb bem ©efcfylecfyte beffen mefyr ate t$. 



^ 2Juf3ug. 7. tfuftritt. 171 

SHofterfcruber. 

®a3, guter 9?atfyan, too^I nun fdjfyerltdj ! — S)enn 
3095 3^ r ^ a ^ i a f^ 011 ge^ort, ba$ id) nur gar 
3u furje $eit &ei ^ m getx>cfen. 
Wafyaxu 

Sfyr benn nicfjt toenigftenS, t»a§ fur ©efcf>led)t3 
SDie Gutter tear ? — 23ar fie nidbt eine ©tauffin ? 

SUofterfcruber* 

3Bo§I mdglid) ! — 3 a, micfy biinlt. 

JRatljatu 

§te£ nicf)t ifyr 93ruber 
3100 $onrab toon ©tauffen? — unb toar Sempelfyerr? 

fifofterfcruber. 

2Benn micb r 3 nid)t triegt. £)o$ Ijalt ! ®a fattt mir em, 
©af$ i$ bom fePgen §errn ein Siicfyelcfyen 
Sftocfy I)ab\ 3$ jog's ifym au3 bem 33ufen, ate 
2Bir tfm bei 2t^falon fcerfcfyarrten. 

SRatljatt. 

9tun? 
SUofterfcruber. 

3105 @3 finb ©ebete brin. SBir nennen'3 ein 

33ret>ier. — SDaS, ba$t' idE), lann ein Gbriftenmenfd) 
$a toofyl no$ braucfyen. — 3$ nun fretlid^ mdE)t — 
3$ faun nid^t Icfcn — 

%$ut m$t3 ! — 9?ur jur ©ad)e. 
SHofterfcruber, 
$>n biefem 93iid?eld^en ftefm t>orn unb fyinten, 
31 10 2Sie id£) mir fagen laffcn, mit be3 §erm 



172 Hattjan ber IDeife, 

©etbeigner §anb, bie Slngefyorigen 
33on.tf)m unb ifyr gefd^rieben* 

D ertx>iinfc^t ! 
©eE)t! lauft! f)olt mir ba3 Siid&eW&en. ©efd&toinb ! 
3$ bin berett, mit ©olb e3 aufjutoiegen, 
3115 Unb taufenb S)an! baju! gilt! lauft ! 

jftoftevftruber. 

9iecJ)t gem! 

(S3 ift arabifd^ aber, \va$ ber §err 
jQtnetngefcfjrte&en. (»&.) 

9?aif)cuu 
©tnerlei ! vtxxx fyer ! — 
©ott! toenn id) bocfy ba3 9)?abd)en no$ befyalten 
Unb einen fold;en ©ibarn mir bamit 

3120 ©rfaufen lonnte! — Sdjtoerltcf) toobl! — Shut, fall' 
©3 au8, tote's Vt>iU ! — 2Ber mag e3 aber benn 
©etoefen fein, ber bei bem ^)3atriard)en 
©0 eitoaS angebradjt? ©a3 muft id) bod^ 
3u fragen ni$t fcergeffen. — 2Benn e3 gar 

3125 23on S)aj|a fame? 



2ttf?ter 2Iuftrttt. 

2)aja imb -ftatljan, 

(ettig unb berlegen). 
©cnlt bo$, 9Zatfyan! 

9latf)an. 

9?un? 



f. 2tuf3ug. 8. 2Iuftrtti 173 

25a§ arme $xnb erfd^ral tooljl recf)t barii&er"! 
£)a fd&icft . . . 

£>er spatriard^? 

©e§ ©ultan§ ©d&toefter, 
sprinjefftn ©tttafy . . . 

^atljatt- 

SRid&t ber $atriard£>? 

9tan, ©ittafy! — §ort Sfyr nic^t ? — ^rinjef fin ©ittafy 
3130 ©dE)icft tyer unb lafct fie ju ft$ fyolen. 

Stofljatt, 

22en? 
£a£t SKecfya fyolen ? — ©ittal) lafet fie Ijolen. — 
9?un, toenn fie ©ittafy fyolen Ia£t, unb nid^t 
3)er $atriar$ . . . 

£aja. 

2Bie fommt %i)x benn auf ben? 

©0 fyaft bu fiirjlicfy nid£)t3 toon ii)m gefyort? 
3135 ©etoijs md&t? 2Iuq) ifym nictyts geftedft? 

3$? i^m? 
Statyui. 

2Bo finb bie Soten? 

SBorn. 



174 Hainan ber IDeife. 

%d) h)tH fie bod^ 
2tu§ aSorfic^t felber f^red^en. Somm ! — 2Benn nur 
33r)m ^airiard^en nid?t3 balmier fiecft. (sia.) 

Unb itf) — \§ furd^te ganj toa3 anbre£ nocfy. 

3140 2Sa3 gilt's? bie einjige fcermeinte Stockier 
©0 eineg reidjen ^uben to&r' a ud£) tDo^>I 
giir einen -JJhif elmcmn ni$t flbel ? — §ui, 
2)er Sempelfyerr ift brum. 3ft brum, toenn icfy 
£)en jtoeiten ©djritt nid^t aud^ nocfy toage, nic^t 

3145 2luc$ iE>r no$ felbft entbecfe, toer fie ift ! — 
©etroft ! 2a£ m\6) ben erften 2tugenbltd£, 
©en icf) aUein fie Ejabe, baju braucfyen ! 
Unb ber totrb fein — tuefteicfyt nun tten f toenn 
3$ fie Begletie. ©0 ein erfter 2Binf 

3150 5?ann unterftegenS toenigftenS ntd^t fcfyaben. 

2>a, \a ! 9iur ju ! $e£t ober nie ! 9?ur ju ! (3$mna$.) 



Jixnffer 3lufpxg* 



(Erfter Jtuftrttt. 

Scene: ba& gimmer in Sct(abtn§ ^ktlafte, in tueldjel bie Sentel mil ©etb 
getragen raorben, bie nod) sn fefjen. 

© a 1 a b t n unb haib barauf fcerfcfjiebene s Dl a m e ( u cf e tt. 

<3a(abttt (ttn ^ereintreten). 

©a ftefyt ba§ ©elb nun nod) ! Unb ntemanb toetfj 
S)en 3)erfarifdj aufjuftnben, ber bermuthcf) 
2ln3 ©cfyadjbrett xrgenbit)o geraten ift, 
3155 3)a3 iljn toofyl feiner felbft bergeffen macfyt; — 

SBarunt mdjt meiner? — 9?un, ©ebulb! 23a3 giebt'8? 

(Sin 9Jlame(ucf, 
©rtDiirtfd^te ^acfyridjt, ©ultan ! greube, ©ultan! 
®ie $arafr>ane Don $al)ira fommt, 
5ft gliicflid) ba ! mit ftebenjaljrigem 
3160 Jrtbut be§ reicfyen 9tU3. 

@alabht» 

SBrat), ^brafytm ! 
S)u btft mtr toa^rltd^ em totHfommner 23ote ! — 
§a ! enblitf) einmal ! enblid?! — §abe %)ani 
35er guten 3^ un S- 

£er 9ftame(utf (roartenb). 

(9fam? nur I)er batnit!) 

175 



176 Hainan ber IPeife. 

@alabitt« 

28a§ toart'ft bu? — ©efy nur toieber. 

£>er SWamehtct 

$)em SBitffommnen 

3165 ©onft ni$t£? 

©alabin* 

2Ba§ benn nodf) fonft? 

$er SSWantelnct 

©em guten 23oten 
$ein 53otenbrot? — ©0 toar' icfy ja ber erfte, 
SDen ©alabin mit 2Borten abjulofynen 
SDod; enblicf) lernte? — Stucty ein 9ht$m! — ber erfte, 
SUlit bem er fnicferie. 

©alabuu 

©0 nimm bir nur 
3170 Sort einen Seutel. 

<£>er SRameluif. 

9tan, mm ntdfjt! 2)u lannft 
3JIir fie nun alle fcfyenfen footlen. 

©alabin* 

3Tro|! — 
■flomm f)er! ®a £>aft bu gtoei. — ^m (grnft? er gefyt? 
S£f)ut mir'3 an @belmut jutoor? — ©enn ficfyer 
9Jiu{$ iljm e£ faurer toerben, au^ufcfylagen, 
3175 2113 tnir ju geben. — ^braljim! — 2Ba3 lommt 
SDtir benn and? ein, fo furj bor meinem 2lbtrttt 
2luf einmal ganj ein anbrer f ein ju Pollen ? — 
2BiH ©alabin al8 ©alabin nicfyt flerben? — 
©0 mufct' er aucfy alS ©alabin nicfyt leben. 

©in ^iiieitcr 9ttamefatf* 
3180 9?un, ©ultan ! . . • 



5, 2Iuf3ug. I 2luftrttt. 177 

6afobht. 
2Senn bu mir ju melben lommft . . . 
groetter Wlamttud. 
2)a£ au$ 2tgt)pten ber transport nun ba! 

Safabitt, 

gcf) toetft f$on. 

3«iettcr 9Jiautefott 
$am id) bod^ $u tyat! 

Salabht. 

SBarum 

gu ft at? — ®a ntmm fiir beinen guten 23iHen 
SDer SBeutel einen ober jtoei. 

3tneiter SRamefacf. 

SKad^t brei! 
©afabttt, 

3185 ^ a / ^ enn ^u *ec!men lannft ! — ©0 ntmm fie nur. 

3ttJCtter WtamtlvLd. 

@§ totrb Vdo^I nocfy ein britter fommen, — toenn 
©r anber£ lommen lann. 

©alabtm 

SSie ba3? 

3tt»citer SPiamefaif. 

Se mi, 
@r fyat aucfy tootjl ben §al§ gebrodjen! 35enn 
©obalb toir brei ber 2tnfunft be§ £ran3:port3 
3190 SSerfid^crt ftaren, fyrengte jeber frifdj 
2)at>on. 3)er borberfte, ber ftiirjt; unb fo 



178 ttatkan be r W eife. 

$omm' id) nun fc>or unb bleib' and) Dor Ms in 
©ie ©tabt, too aber gbrafyim, ber Sedfer, 
5Die ©affen beffer fennt. 

@alafeut, 

D, ber ©eftiirjte! 
3195 greunb, ber ©eftiirjte ! — 9tett ifym bod? entgegen, 

gttieiter SRamelud^ 

£)a§ toerb' id) ja toofyl iljun ! — Unb totnn er lebt, 
©0 ift bte £alfte biefer Seutel fern. 

(®e$t ab.) 

SalaHtt, 

©iefy, toeldb em guter, ebler $erl au$ ba3 ! — 
2Ber fann fid? folder 9JlameIuden riifymen? 
3200 Unb toar' mir benn ju benfen nid^t erlaubt, 
©aft fie mein Seifyiel bilben (jelfen? — $ort 
5Diit bem ©ebanfen, fie ju guter 2e£t 
9iod^ an ein anbre3 ju getoofynen ! . . . 

@tn- brttter SMamefatf* 

©ultan, . . , 
Satabiiu 

Sift bu% ber ftfirjte? 

fritter 9Jlamefucf. 

■Rein. 3$ melbe nur, — 
3205 ©aft @mtr 9Jlanfor, ber bie $aratoane 
©efufyrt, t>om $ferbe fteigt . . . 

Saiabtn. 

Srtng tfyn! gefd&toinb! 
©a ift er ja! — 



5. 2Iuf3ug. 2. itnftrtti 179 

(^tpeiter 2luftrttt 
(S m 1 1 %R a ii j o r unb @ -a 1 a b i it. 

Salafoitt, 

SBillfommen, ©mir ! Sfttm, 
2Bie iff 3 gegangen? — 9Jlanfor, SJlanfor, Ijafi 
Une lange toarien Iaffert ! 

liefer 33rief 
3210 Seridjtet, fta§ bein SIbuIfafjem erft 

gur Unrub' in 2bebai$ bampfen mfiffen, 
66' tow e5 ftagen burften, abjugefyen. 
® en 3ug barauf i)ah } icb befcbleuniget 
So toiel, toie moglicb toar. 

8alabtn. 

Scf) glaube bir ! — 
3215 Unb nimm nur, guter 3Jianfor, nimm fogleicfy . . . 
3)u tfmft es aber bocb audf) gem?. . . nimm frifd^e 
Sebecfung nur fogleicb. 3)u muftt fogletd; 
9?od£) toetter, muftt ber ©elber grofeem STeil 
2tuf Sibcmon jum SSater bringen* 

Wlan\ov. 

©ern! 
3220 ©efyr gern ! 

Salabtn. 

Unb nimm bir bie Sebecfung \a 
3lux nicf)t ju fdtoacfy. G3 ift urn Ctbanon 
9l\d)t aHes mebr gu ficber. §aft bu nitfjt 
©efyort? 3)ie lempelberren finb toieber rege. 
©ei too^I auf beiner §ut ! — Komm nur ! 23d Ijctli 
3225 £er 3ug ? ^d£) ftitf ibn febn unb atleg fcIBft 
Setreiben. — gljr! i$ bin fobann bei ©ittaf). 



T, 



180 Hatfjan ber IDetfe. 

Drttter ZCuftritt. 

Scene: bte $almen Dor 9latfyan§ £>aufe, mo ber Xempelfyerr auf unb 

nicber get)t. 

$n§ £>au§ nun toitt \<fy einmal ntd;t. — 6r toirb 
©i$ enblidj bocfy toofyl fefyen laff en ! — 9Jtan 
Semerfte mid) ja fonft fo balb, fo gem ! — 

3230 SDBiH'8 nod) erleben, ba£ er ftdE) ? 3 fcerbtttet, 
SSor feinem §aufe mi$ fo fletf^ig finben 
3u laffen. — §m ! — id) bin bod) aber au<f) 
©efyr argerltd;. — 2Ba§ E)at micfy benn nun fo 
©rbittert gegen i£>n ? — @r fagte ja : 

3235 3lo<fy fd)liig' er mir nidE)t3 ab. Unb ©alabin 
§at'S iiber ftd) genommen, ifyn ju fttmmen. — 
SBie? follte toirllitf; toofyl in mir ber Shrift 
9^0$ tief er niften aU in tfym ber ^ube ? — 
2Ber lennt ft$ recfyt? 28ie fount id) ifym benn fonft 

3240 3)en fleinen S^aub nicf)t gonnen Gotten, ben 
@r fid)'3 ju folder Slngelegenljeit 
©emacfyt, ben 6f)riften abjujagen? — greilid), 
$ein fleiner 3?aub, ein fold) ©efd^opf ! — ©efd&ityf? 
Unb toeffen ? — bod) be§ ©flatten nU$t, ber auf 

3245 3)e3 SebenS oben ©tranb ben Slod geflo^L 
Unb ficfy bafcon gemad£)t? 35e3 $itnftfer3 bocf) 
9So^I mefyr, ber in bem Ijingetoorfnen SBIode 
©ie gottlicfye ©eftalt fidfy bacfyte, bie 
(Sr bargeftellt? — 2Id) ! $itfya$ toaster SSater 

3250 SBIeibt, tro£ bem 6f)riften, ber fie jeugtc, — bleibt 
$n ©toigfeit ber 3 u ^ e » — SBenn id) mir 
©ie lebtglicfy afe Gfyriftenbirne benfe, 
©ie fonber alleS ba3 mir benfe, toa§ 
SCtXein iljr fo ein gubc geben fonnte : — 



5. 2Iuf3ug. 3. 2luftrttt. 181 

3255 ©pricf), §erj, — toa§ toar' an ifyr, ba3 bir gefiel? 
3?t$t3! SSemg! ©eibft tf>r 2ad>eln, it>dr r e3 nid&tS 
21(3 fanfte, fcfyone gutfung ^ rer SRuJJeln, 
SSar', toa£ fie Iad^eln in a$t, be3 9tet$e§ untoert, 
$n ben e3 fid) auf ifyrem 2Run.be fletbet: — 

3260 9?ein, felbft t£>r Sdcfjeln rttd^t ! 3$ f?ab' e$ ja 
SBofyl fd£)5ner nodi) an Wfttiivty, an £anb, 
2(n ipofynerei, an ©djmeidfyler unb an Sutler 
23erfcbtoenben feljn! — §af3 ba midE) audf) bejaubert? 
§at'§ ba tnir audf) ben 3Bunfc§ entlodft, mein Seben 

3265 3 n feinem ©onnenfcfyeine ju fcerflattern? — 

3$ toiifcte nicfyt. Unb bin auf ben bod) launifcfr, 
SDer biefen fydfyern 2Bert allein tfyr gab? 
28ie ba£? ftarum? — SBenn idf) ben ©pott fcerbiente, 
9Jtit bem mtdEj ©alabin entlief}! ©cfyon fcblimm 

3270 @enug, baf$ ©alabin e3 glauben !onnte! 
2Bie flein id) ifym ba foremen mu^te ! toie 
33eradbtlicf) ! — Unb ba§ aHe§ urn ein SMbcfjen? — 
Gurb ! Surb ! ba3 gebt fo nicfyt. Sen! ein ! 9Senn tooHenbS 
W\x SDaja nur \va$ borgeplaubert tyatte, 

3275 28a3 fd£)toerlid) ju ertoeifen ftiinbc? — ©ief), 
5Da tritt er enblid), in ©efpradE) bertieft, 
2tus feinem §aufe ! — §a ! mit toem ! — 9Jlit iljm? 
SDWt meinem ^lofterbruber? — §a ! fo toeifc 
@r ficberlicf) fd^on atle3 ! ift toobl gar 

3280 ©em Spatrtard&en fcfyon fcerraten ! — §a ! 

2Ba3 fyab' tdj Duerfopf nun geftiftet ! — Safe 
(Sin einj'ger gunfen biefer 2eibenfd)aft 
Qotfy unferS §irn§ fo fciel fcerbrennen fann ! — 
©efd^tmnb entfcf)lieft bid), toa3 nunmefyr ju tf)un! 

3283 ^dj tottt fyier feittoart3 i^rer toarten, — ob 
SBielleicfyt ber ^lofterbruber dm aerlafct. 



182 Hainan ber IDetfe. 

Dierter tfuftritt. 

$1 a t 1) a n unb ber $ 1 o ft e r h r u b e r. 

Watljatt (im ^dt)er!ommen). 

§abt normals, guter Sruber, melen ©anf! 

^lofterfcruber. 
Unb 3$r be^gleic^en ! 

Martian. 
%$? t>on @ucf)? toof iir ? 
ftitr tnetnen @igenfinn, (£ud£) aufjubrtngen, 
3290 2Ba§ $$r n ^ brauc^t ? — $a, toenn ifym Surer nur 
2Iudf) nacfygegeben fyatt', 3#r tnit ©etoalt 
5Rt$i toolltet reiser fcin ate id). 

SHofterferuber. 

3)a3 33u$ 

©efjort ja obnebem nid£)t mir, geljort 

^a obnebem ber £ocfyter, ift Ja fo 

3295 ©er Softer ganje§ fcaterlicfyeS (Srbe. — 

^e nun, fie fyat ja @udE). — ©ott gebe nur, 

2)af$ $fyv e§ nie bereuen bitrft, fo fciel 

gtir fie getfyan ju fyahttx ! 

$ann idj ba£? 
©a3 lann icfy nie. ©eib unbeforgt! 

5Hofter&ruber. 

5Ru, nu! 

3300 3Me $atriard£)en unb bie SCempelfyerren , ♦ . 

SWatfjiro. 

23ermogen mir be3 Sofen nie fo fciel 

3u tfyun, baft irgenb toa3 mid) reuen fonnte, 

©efcfytoeige, ba§ ! — Unb feib 3#r benn fo ganj 



5. 2Iuf3ug. /*. 21 u f t r i 1 1. 183 

aSerfid^ert, ba£ ein Xempelljerr e§ ift, 
3305 £>er ©uern ^atriard^en fyettf ? 

SHofter&ruber. 

©§ fann 

33einaf) !ein anbrer fein. ©in £empelfyerr 
©prad) !urj border mit ifym, unb toa£ tc§ fyorte, 
3)a§ Hang barnad^ 

©3 ift bod) aber nur 
©in eingtger jefct in SJerufalem, 
3310 Unb biefen fenn' iti). SMefer ift mein greunb, 
©in junger, ebler, offner SJlann ! 

IHofterferuber. 

©anj red^t, 

£)er namltcfye ! — 35ocf> toa§ man ift, unb toa3 

3Jlan fein mu| in ber SSelt, ba£ paftt ja tooljl 

%lid)t immer. 

Seiber mcf)t. — ©0 tfyue, toer'S 
3315 3tudE) immer ift, fein (ScfylimmfteS ober 33efie3! 
5D?it ©uerm 23udj)e, 33ruber, trotf id) alien 
Unb gefye graben 28eg§ bamit jum <&ultan. 

5Hofterbruber- 
SSiel ©liidte! £5$ toW ®u$ kenn nur bier berlaffen. 

MaU)an. 
Unb fyabt fie md)t einmal gefefyn ! — $ommt ja 
3320 3)o$ balb, bod£) fleiftig toteber. — 3Betm nur ^euf 
35er $atrtar$ nodj m$t8 erfafyrt! — £)o$ toa£? 
©agt tfym au$ beute, ft>a§ 3#r Joottt. 

$Iofterbruber, 

3$ nid&t. 

1 (@ef)t ab.) 



184 Hat^an ber tPetfe. 

Nathan. 
aSerge^t un3 \a ntd^t, Sruber ! — ©ott ! 
S)afe icfy nid&t gleid) Ijier unter fretem §tmmel 

3325 2luf meine $mee ftnfen fann ! 2Bte fid) 
2)er $noten, ber fo oft mir bange macfyte, 
5ftun toon ftdfj felBer lofet ! — ©ott ! tote letcfyt 
3Kir totrb, baft id) nun better auf ber 2BeIt 
%litf)t% ju berbergen Ijabe ! bafc id) fcor 

3330 ©en 3Renfd)en nun fo frei fann toanbeln al3 
9Sor bir, ber bu aftein ben 9Jienfd)en nid^t 
Wad) feinen %fyatm braucfyft §u rid)ten, bie 
©0 felten feine £I)aten finb, ©ott! — 



^iinfter 2tuftritt. 

Watfyan unb ber £empell)err, ber Don ber @eite auf iljn 
gulommt. 

Sem^eUjerr* 

§e! toartet, Sftattyan, nefymt mid) mit! 

Nathan. 

2Ber ruft? — 
3335 ©eib $l)r e8, fitter? 9So getoefen, baft 

$l)r bei bem ©ultan (5ucf> ntd)t treffen laffen? 

2Sir finb einanber fefylgegangen. SWeljmt^ 
%l\tf)i iibei ! 

$$ ntd&t, aber ©alabin . ♦ ♦ 
£em£ett)err, 
$I)r toart nur ^btn fort , . • 



5, 2Iuf3ug, 5. 2fuftrttt. 185 

Unb fyracfyt tfm bod)? 
3340 3lun, fo tffg gut. 

Sr tottt im§ aber beibe 
3ujammen fprecfyert. 

35e(to beffer. $ommt 
9lur mit SWein ©artg ftanb ofynebin ju ifnn.— 

Sem^elfjerr, 

$dE) barf ja bodE) toobt fragen, -Katfyan, tx>er 
@ud) ba fcerlteft? 

sRat^atu 

$#r fennt tljrt bocfy toofyl nicfyt? 

XempeUjerr, 

3345 2Bar'3 nicfyt bie gute ©out, ber Satenbruber, 
2)e3 fid) ber ^atriartf) fo gem jum Stober 
Sebtent? 

^ann fein! 33eim ^3atriardE)en ift 
@r allerbingS. 

SetnpeUjerr, 

£)er $fiff ift gar nid^t iibel, 
2)ie @mfalt bor ber ©cfyurferei fcorau3 
3350 3" fc^ideen. 

Matyaxx. 

3a, bie bumme, — md)t bie fromme* 
Sempenjerr, 

2In fromme gtaubt fein ^atrtard). 



186 Hat^an ber rt)etfe, 

SKafyati. 

$ur ben 

9fam ftefy' \§. 3)er tt>trb feincm $atrtar$en 
SRid^tS Ungebufyrli$e§ bottjiefyen fyelfen. 

Xempctyerr* 

©o fteUt er toenigften£ ftcfy an. — ®o$ tyat 
3355 ®* @u$ toon mir benn ni$t$ gefagt? 

9tatf)an. 

Son @u$? 

3Son @u$ nun namentlicfy toofyl m$ts. — @r toeife 
^a tooljl aucfy fcfytoerlicfy ©uern 9lamzn? 

%tmptli}tvv. 

©$toerlic§. 
*Battjatt, 

SBon einem ^empelfyerren freilicfy fyat 
@r mir gefagt . . . 

Unb toa8? 

SKatljan. 

ffiSomit er @ud? 
3360 ©odE) em* fur aKemal ni$t meinen lann ! 

SentyeUjerr, 

2Ber toeift? Saftt bo$ nur fyoren. 

2) aft midj einer 
Set feinem ^atrtarcfyen angeflagt . . . 

SetttyeHjerr, 

@u$ angeflagt? — Sag ift, mit f etner ©unft — 
©rlogen. — §ort tntdf), 9tatfyan ! — %<$ bin nicfyt 
3365 2)er 9Jtenfcfy, ber irgenb etft>a§ abjuleugnen 



5. 2Juf3ug. 5. 2Iuftritt. 187 

^mftanbe toare. 28a§ id) tfyat, ba3 if) at id) . 
£)od; bin id) and) tttd&t ber, ber alleS, toa3 
@r tl)at, ate tool)IgetI)an bertetb'gen mod)te. 
23a3 foHt' icfy eine3 gel)te mid) fdjamen? $ah y 

3370 3$ n i$* ^ en feftcn 93orfa£, if)n ju beff ern ? 
Unb toet£ id) eti^a ntdjt, lute toett mtt bem 
63 9JienfdBen bringen fonnen? — §ort midb, Sftatfyan! — 
$d) bin be£ SatenbruberS £empeH)err, 
2)er (Sud) Derflagt foil f)aben, aUerbinge. — 

3375 3^ r toiftf i a / toa$ mxd^ tourmifd) mad)te ! toa£ 
9ftein Slut in alien 2lbern fiebcn macfyte ! 
3d) ©aud) ! — id) lam, fo ganj mit Seib' unb Seel' 
6ud) in bie 2lrme mid) ju toerfen. 3Bie 
$I)r mid) em^fingt — tote fait — tote lau — benn lau 

3380 3ft fd^limmer nod) ate fait ; toie abgemeffen 
3Jtir au^ubeugen ^x befliften toart; 
SJlit toeldjen au§ ber Suft gegriffnen $ragen 
31)r SInttoort mir ju geben fcbeinen tooUtet: 
35a£ barf id) faum mir jettf nod) benfen, toenn 

3385 3$ foil gelaffen bleiben. — §ort micb, 9?atl)ani — 
3n biefer ©Sprung fdjlid) mir 25aja nacfy 
Unb toarf mir tE>r ©efyeimnte an ben $oj>f, 
£)a§ mir ben 3luffd)Iu§ ©uer3 rdtfell)aften 
33etragen§ %a entfyalten fd£)ien. 

SBie ba§? 
Sempettjerr, 

3390 §ort micf) nur au$l — 3$ bilbete mir etn, 
3I)r tooHtet, toa§ $l)r einmal nun ben S^riften 
©0 abgejagt, an einen 61)riften toieber 
•Ktcfyt gem t>erlieren. Unb fo fiel mir ein, 



188 Xiat^an bet IDeife* 

@ud) furj unb gut ba3 3Jleffer an bie g£]jl£_ 

3395 3« f e £ en - 

Sttatyatu 

^ur j unb gut ? unb gut ? — 2So ftecft 
3)a§ ©ute? 

Setn^ettjerr* 

§ort midf), SRatfyan ! — SlUerbingS, 
3$ tfyat nicfyt recf>t ! — 3#r fcib toofyl gar nid;t fcfyulbig.- 
3Me SRarrin Saja toeijs nictyt, t»aS fie fpricfyt, — 
3ft @u$ gefyafftg, — fud;t @ud) nur bamit 
3400 $n einen bofen §anbel ju bertoicfeln ; — 

$ann fein ! lann fein ! — 3$ 6w e * n junger Saffe, 
2)er immer nur an betben ©nben fd;toarmt, 
93a(b btel ju fcnel, ba(b fctel ju toenig t^ut ; — 
2lud^ ba£ lann fein ! SSerget^t mir, 9iatljan. 

^otljatt. 

3Benn 
3405 Sfyr fa m ^ frexlid^ faffet — 

Xem^eHjerr. 

^urj, \§ ging 
3um ^atriarcfyen ! — Ijab' @ud) after ntcfyt 
©enannt, 2)a3 ift erlogen, toie gefagt! 
3$ Ijab' tfym blo£ ben gall ganj aUgemein 
Grjafylt, urn feine SDleinung ju fcernefymen. — 

3410 2tu$ ba3 fyatt' unteibleiben lonncn ; ja bod^ ! — 
3)emt fannt' id) mdjjt ben *Patriar<f)en fd^on 
211$ einen ©dwrfen? $onnt' i$ Su$ nidfyt felber 
5ftur gleid) jur 3^ebe ftetten ? — 9JUtf$t' i$ ber 
©efafyr, fo einen SSater jit fcerlieren, 

3415 $)a§ arme 9JJabcfyen opfern? — 9iun, toaS ttyut'8? 
3Me Sd^urferei be3 $atrtar$en, bie 



5. 2luf3ug. 5. 2Iuftritt. 189 

©o aijnltcf) unmet fid? erbalt, bat micfy 

2)e3 nacfyften 2Cegc^ toteber ju mir felbft 

©ebracfyt. — 3)enn Ijort mi$, SKatban, Ijort mid) au§ ! — 

3420 ®efe§t, er \vu$t' and) Guern Harnett, toa$ 

■Kim meljr, toaS mefyr ? — Sr lann Sud) ja bag -IRabdjen 

5JJur neljmen, tomn fie memanbS ift ate ®uer. 

@r lann fie bodf) au£ ©uerm Jgaufe nur 

3Jn3 Softer fc^Ieppen. — 2lIfo — gebt fie mir! 

3425 ©ebt fie nur mir unb laftt ibn lommen. §a! 
®r fo!f§ toobl bleiben laffen, mir mein 2Seib 
$u nefymen. — ©ebt fie mir, gefd^runb! — ©ie fei 
3lun Sure Softer, ober fei e3 m$t! 
©et 6§riftin ober 3>ubtn ober feines ! 

3430 ©[ei$fc>iel! gleicbttiel! 3$ toerb' (Sucf) toeber jefct 
9fo(f) jjemafe fonft in meinem ganjen Seben 
2>arum befragen. ©et, tote'S fei! 

$Utt)an. 

^fyr ftabnt 

3Bof)l gar, bafc mir bie SBafyrljeit ju fcerbergen 

©efyr notig? 

£em$jelf)en\ 

©et, toie'3 fei! 

SRatf) an. 

3$ fyab' e3 ja 

3435 Gu$ — ober toem es fonft ju toiffen jiemt — 

3lod) nidjt geleugnet, bap fie eine 6f)riftin 

Unb ni$t3 ate merne v $f[egetocbter ift. — 

SB arum idf>'3 aber ibr nocfy ntd£>t entbecft? — 

Saruber braucfy' xd) nur bei if>r midj ju 

3440 Cmtfcbulbigen. 

£em£eil)err. 

£a3 foHt $br aucb bei tfyr 

v JttdE)t braucfyen. — ©onnt'3 it>r bod^, baft fie SudE) me 



190 Xtat^an ber IDetfe- 

Wit anbern Slugen barf betracfyten ! ©part 
3^r bie (gntbecfimg bocb ! — 3?oc^ $abt $f>r ja, 
Sfyr ganj allein, mit tE>r ju flatten, ©ebt 
3445 ©ie mir! 3$ 6itf ©utf), SRattyatt, gebt fie mir! 
3$ bin's atlein, ber fie jum jtoeitenmale 
@u$ retten lann — unb toilL 

$a — lonnte ! fonnte! 
9tun auc| ntd)i mefyr. @3 ift bamit ju ft at. 

2km$>elljerr, 

SBie fo? in foat? 

^atjjatt, 

2)anl fei bem ^atriardjen . . ♦ 
XetttpeHjerr* 

3450 ©em $atrtard)en? 2)anf? ifym ©an!? toofur? 

©an! batte ber Bet un3 fcerbienen toollen? 

SBofur? tooffir? 

9?atf)tm. 

2)aft toxr nun ftriffen, toem 
©ie anfcertoanbt, nun totffen, toeffen §anben 
©ie fitfjer auggeliefert toerben lann, 

3455 3)a§ ban!' ifym — toer fiir mefyr tfym banlen toirb! 

2lu§ btefen mii$t $fyr fie nun aud^y erfyalten 
Unb ni$t au3 meinen. 

Xem^eUjerr. 

3lrme 9ie$a! 2Ba3 
3)ir attcS fcuftofet, armc 3ted)a ! 2Ba£ 
©in ©liicf fiir anbre JBaifen ttmre, totrb 



5, 2t u f 3 u g. 5. 2tuftrttt. 191 

3460 2)ein Unglikf ! ~ 9iatljan ! — Unb too finb jit, biefe 
Sertoanbte? 

2Bo fie ftnb? 
SempeUjerr. 

Unb toer fie finb? 

93'efonberS E)at ein Sruber fid) gefunben, 
93ei bem 3$r urn fie toerben muf& 

£emtjeU)err* 

@in Sruber? 
2Ba3 ift er, biefer Sruber? Sin ©otbat? 
3465 @m ©etftlid)er? — Safet fyoren, toa§> \i) mir 
SSerf^rec^en barf. 

Xat|ttt. 
3$ glaube, ba§ er feine3 
33on beiben — ober beibe3 ift. 3$ ^ enn ' 
3#n nocfy nidf)t red)t. 

£em£etf)err. 

Unb fonft? 

Sttatjatt. 

Sin brafcer SOlann ! 

93ei bem fid) 3te$a gar nid)t ubel toirb 
3470 Sefinben. 

£em£ell)err* 

Qotf) ein (Shrift ! — %<fy toet§ ju geiten 
2lud^ gar nidjt, toa$ id) Don Surf) benlen foil; — 
SRetymt mir'3 nidEjt ungut, 9?atf)an. — SSirb fie mdjt 
©ie Sbriftin fpielen muffen unter Sf)riften? 
Unb toirb fie, toa% fie lange g'nug geftnelt, 



192 Hainan ber HJetfe. 

3475 9tt$t enblidb toerben? 22irb ben lautcrn SBetjen, 
©en 3# r 9 e f&'t, ba3 Unlraut enbltd^ nid)t 
(grftiden ? — Unb ba§ fiimmert Su$ fo toenig? 
©em ungea<f)tet fonnt 2$r fagen — 2$r ? — 
©aft fie bet tfyrem ©ruber ftcf) nicfyt iibel 

3480 93eftnben toerbe? 

Watfiau. 
©enf id) ! fyoff td) ! — Sffienn 
3$r ja bet ifym toa3 mangeln foUte, fyat 
©ie Sucfy unb micfy benn ni$i nod) immer? — 

Xettttoefljerr. 

Sty 
2Ba§ totrb bei ifym it>r mangeln fonnen ! 233irb 
©a§ 93ruber$en tnit @ffen unb mit Kletbung, 

3485 3Kit SRafd^toerf unb mit $u£ ba§ ©d)toefter$en 
9Jtd)t reicfylicfy g'nug berforgen? Unb toaS braucfyt 
(Sin ©dj>toefterrf)en benn mefyr? — 6i fretltcfy: aucfy 
9?ocfy einen SUiann ! %lnn, nun, — and) ben, and) ben 
2Birb ifyr ba§ 93riibercfyen ju fetner 3 e ^ 

3490 ©d)on fd^affert, tote er immer nur ju finben ! 
©er c^riftlicbfte ber befte ! — ^ftatfyan, ytatyan ! 
2Bel$ einen ©ngel fyattet %i)x gebtlbet, 
©en Sucfy mm anbre fo fcerfyunjen toerben! 

Nathan. 
§at feine 5Ttot ! @r toirb fidj unfrer Siebe 
3495 9totf) tmmer toert genug befyaupien. 

£em£eU)err. 

©agt 

©a§ ntdjt ! SSon meiner Siebe fagt ba% ntd^t ! 
©enn bie laftt nicfyt3 fid^ unterfcfylagen, ntcfytg, 
6§ fei audfj) nod? fo flein ! aucfy leinen Xiamen ! — 



5. 2X u f 3 u g, 5. 2Juftrttt. 193 

2)o$ fyalt ! — SCrgtDO^nt fie toofyl bereit£, h)ai mit 
3500 ^f)r i>orget)t? 

9Jtt>glicf> ; ob i$ fcfyon nicfyt toiiftte, 

2Bofyer ? 

£em£en)en\ 

2tud^ eben fcuel; fie foil — fie mufs 
$n beiben fallen, toa3 il)r ©dE>idEfaI brol)t, 
Son tnir juerft erfaljren. 5Dletrt ©ebanfe, 
©ie ef)er ftneber nid)t ju fefm, ju fyrecfKn, 
3505 2113 bi§ idB fie bie meine nennen biirfe, 
gaUt fteg. %<$) eile . . . 

Sleibt! too^in? 

Sentyenjerr, 

3u tf>r! 
3u feljn, ob biefe 3ftabcf)enfeele. 3)?ann3 genug 
2Bofyl ift, ben einjigen @ntf$lu£ ju faffen, 
©er ifyrer toiirbig toare ! 

SBel^en? 

Sen: 
3510 9^ad^) ®uc£) unb ibrem Sruber toeiter ni$t 
3u fragen — 

Unb? 

Xempenjerr. 

Unb mir ju folgen, — foenn 
©ie briiber eine§ 9JiufeImanne3 grau 
SCud^) toerben mit^ie. 



194 Zt at ft an ber IDetfe. 

Nafyan. 

Sleibt ! ^x trefft fie nid&t ; 
©te ift bet ©tttafy, bet be3 ©ultanS ©cfytoefter. 

Xtmpttytvt. 

3515 ©eit toenn? toarum? 

ftailjatt. 
Unb toollt $fyr ^ a &*i i^nen 
3ugleid^ ben 83ruber ftnben, fommt nur mit. 

SempeUjetr* 

£>en Sruber? toel^en? ©itta^S ober 9te$a3? 

9Zatl)att, 
Setc^t betbe, $ommt nur mit ! %<$) bitt' @u$, lommt ! 

(@r fufjrt if)ti fort.) 



Sedjfter tfuftritt. 

Scene : in Stttcu)§ <£>arem. 
© 1 1 1 a I) unb Sft e rf) a in Unterfyaltung begrtffen, 

StitaJ), 

2Ba§ freu' id) mid^ nttf)t betner, fiifceS Sftabdfjen! — 
3520 ©et fo beftemmt nur ni$t! fo angfi! fo f$ii$tern! — 
©et munter! jet gefprad^iger! fcertrauter! 

SPrinjeffin, . . . 

©tttaf). 

$t\ti)t bodE) ! nid&t ^rtnjefftn ! yiznn 
Stfttd) ©ittafy, — betne greunbtn, — beine ©cfytoefter, 
yitnn nttd) betn 9Kutterd)en ! — %d) lonnte ba£ 



5. 2t u f 3 n g. 6. 21 u f t r 1 1 1. 195 

35 2 5 3 a Wm aud^) fein. — So jung ! fo Hug ! fo tromm ! 
2Ba§ bu nid£)t aHe§ toei^t ! rticbt' aftes muftt 
©elefen fyabzn 

3$ gelefen? — ©ittab, 
35u tyotteft beiner Keineit albern ©djtoefter. 
3$ fann laum lefen, 

Stttalj. 

$annft laum, Siignerin ! 
fRetfja. 
3530 Sin toenig metne$ SBaterS §anb ! — 3$ roeinte, 
£>u fprad^ft Don Siidjern. 

STEerbing§ ! bon Sud&ern. 
9iun, Silver h)irb mir toafyrlicf) fd^toer ju lefen ! — 

Sm @rnft? 

$n ganjem Srnft. SOiein 3Sater Itebi 
5Die faltc 93ud^ gele^rf amleit, bte fid) 
3535 3Rtt totcn 3ei$en ™3 ©^itn nur briicft, 
3u toenig. 

Sittalj, 

Si, toa§ fagft bu ! — Sat mbefc 

28oI)I ni$t fe^r unrecbt! — Unb fo man$e§, toa§ 

£>u toei^t . . . ? 

SRedja. 

28ei£ tdj aUein au§ feinem 3Jtunbe 

Unb lonnie bet bem meiften bir nod) fagen, 

3540 2Bie? too? toarum? er mtd>'§ geleljrt. 



196 Hat^an ber IDeife. 

<3tttal). 

©o bangt 
(Bid) freilicty alle§ beffer an. ©o Iernt 
9Jtit etn3 bie ganje ©eele. 

©i$er fyat 
2lu$ ©ittaf) n^erttg ober nid)t3 gelefen ! 

% 28ie fo? — 3^ bin md^)t ftolj auf£ ©egenteil. — 
3545 2t(Iem Vt>ie fo? ©ein ©runb ! ©pridf? breift. ®em ©runb? 

©ie ift fo fd)Iecbt unb red)t, unb unfcerfunftelt, 
©o ganj ftd^> felbft nur a&nlid^ . . . 

©tttal). 

SRun? 

2)a3 f often 
3Me Siid^er un§ rtur felten laffen, fagt 
3Jietn 33ater. 

D, fta§ ift bein SSater fiir 
3550 (Sin SJtann ! 

md)t ftafyr? 

Stttal), 

SBie naf) er immer bo$ 

3um 3iele trifft ! 

*flerf)a, 

9fid&t toa^r? — Unb biefen SSater — 
©tttal), 

23a§ ift bxr, Siebe? . 



5. 2luf3ug. 6. 2tuftrttt. 197 

3Me[en Setter — 

©ott! 
©u toeinft? 

met)*- 

Unb biefen SSater — 2lfy ! es mu£ 
§erau3 ! 3Jlem §erj toill guft, toiU Suft . . . 

(SSirft fid), bon Xtyranen iibertDdttigt, ju tfyrett Sfugen.) 

6ttte$. 

$inb, toaS 

3555 ©efd&ie&t bir? 9}e$a? 

SDtefen SSater foil — 
©oil i$ fcerlieren! 

Stttal). 
35u? berlieren? ifyn? 
28ie ba§? — Set rufyig ! — nimmermefyr ! — ©tel) auf ! 

v OfJedja, 

2)u fottft bergeben§ bid) ju meiner greunbin, 
$u meiner ©cfjtoefter nidfjt erboten I)aben! 

6HM|. 

3560 ^d^ Kn'8 ja ! bin'3 ! — ©tefy boi) nur auf! gd^ mu§ 
©ortft §tlfe rufen. 

(bie fid) ermemnt unb aufftef)t). 

2lf) ! berjeify ! fcergteb ! — 
9JWn ©d^merj J?at mi$ bergeffen madden, toer 
2)u bift. 33or ©ittafy gift fein ffiBmfeln, fein 
SBerjtoeifelrt. Salte, ru^ige 33ernunft 



198 XI a tit an fcer IDeife. 

3565 2Bt(l aHe£ iiber fie adein bermogen. 

2Be3 ©acfye btefe bet ifyr fii^rt, ber fiegt ! 

©tttaf)* 
9fam bann? 

*Retf)a, 

9tan, metne $reunbin, meine ©cfytoefter 

©tebt ba3 ntcfyt ju! ©iebt ntmmer ju, baft mir 

@in anbrer SSater aufgebrungen toerbe! 

©ttia^ 

3570 ©in anbrer SBater? aufgebrungen? SDir? 

2Ber fann ba£? lann ba§ aucfy nur tooKen, Siebe? 

2Ber? s JJteine gute bofe SDaja lann 

®a§ toollen, — toil! ba§ fonnen. — %a, bu fennft 

SBofyl btefe gute bofe ®aja ntdjt? 

3575 9^un, ®ott fcergeb' e3 tfyr! — belofyn' e3 $rl 

©ie fyat mir fo triel ©ute£, — fo bid 23ofe3 

(Srtoiefen ! 

©ittal). 

5Bofe§ bir? — ©0 mufc fie ©ute§ 

£)o$ toafyrltdj toenig Ijaben. 

SDo$! red^t fciel, 

©Utaf}, 

2Ber ift fie? 

Sine Gfyriftin, bie 
3580 %n meiner $inbl)eit mid) gepflegt, micf) fo 

©epflegt ! — SDu glaubft nid^t ! — bie mir eine Gutter 
©0 toenig miffen laffen ! — ©ott bergelt' 



5. 2Iuf3ug. 6. Sluftrttt. 199 

@3 tf>r ! — bie aber mid) and) fo geangfiet ! 
Wlid) fo gequalt! 

6tttaf>. 
Unb iiber toaS? toarum? 
3585 SOBte? 

SCd^ ! bie arme gfrau — id) fag' bits [a — 
3ft eine Eljrtftin, — muft au§ Siebe qualen, — 
3ft eine bint ben ©$h)firmerinnen, bie 

Sen atlgemeinen, einjig ftmbren 2Beg 
9?a$ ©ott ju toiffen tx>af>nen ! 

(Sittai). 

Nun berftel)' id) I 

3590 Unb fid? gebrungen fii^Ien, einen jeben, 

2)er biefe§ 2Beg3 fcerfeljlt, barauf $u lenfen. — 
$aum fonnen fie and) anber§. £)enn tft'3 toaljr, 
£)af$ biefer SSeg aftein nut rid^tig fitfyrt : 
SBie foUen fie gelaffen iljre greunbe 

3595 2ltxf einem anbern toanbeln fefyn, — ber in§ 
gSerberben ftiirjt, in§ etoige 33erberben? 
(£3 muftte moglid) fein, benfelben 2Renf$en 
3ur felben 3 e ^t ju lieben unb 511 Ijaffert. — 
Stud) ift'3 ba§ nicfyt, toa§ enbltcfy taute $Iagen 

3600 9ftid) iiber fie ju fiifyren jftnngt. Sfyr ©eufjen, 
8fc aSarnen, if)r ©ebet, ifyr ©roljen fyatt' 
3d) gem nocfy langer auSgefyalten, gern! 
(£3 bracfyte mi$ bod^) immer auf ©ebanfen, 
SDte gut unb nii^lid). Unb toem f$mei$elt ? 3 bod^ 

3605 3 m ©runbe nicbt, fxd^> gar fo toert unb teuer, 
33on toem'3 and) fei, geJ)aIten fiiljlen, baj$ 



200 Hainan ber rDeife. 

@r ben ©ebanfen nid^t eriragen fann, 
@r miiff einmal auf etoig un$ entbeljren! 

@tttaf). 

©eljr toafyr! 

2lKem — aUein — ba§ gefyt ju toeit ! 
3610 ®em lann id) nidjt§ entgegenfe^en, ni$t 
©ebulb, nicfyt Uberlegung, nid>t§! 

Stttal). 

2Ba3? toem? 
*Retf|a, 

2Ba$ fie mir eben j|e|t entbedt Voitt fyaben. 

©tttalj* 

©ntbecft ? unb eben jefct? 

%lux eben je£t! 
2Bir naljten auf bem 2Beg' Berber un§ einem 

3615 93erfaKnert 6fyriftentem:pel. ^lo^licfy ftanb 

©ie ftill, fcfyien mit fid) felbft $u fdmpfen, blidte 
SJtit naffen 2lugen balb gen §immel, balb 
2Iuf mid). $omm, fyracfy fie enblid), laft un£ Ijier 
©urcfy biefen £em!pe[ in bie SRic^te ge^n! 

3620 ©ie gef)t ; tcfy folg' ifyr, unb tncin 3luge fd^toetft 
9Jtit ©rauS bie toanfenben 3tuinen burcfy. 
5Run ftefyt fie foneber, unb idj febe mid; 
2ln ben berfunfnen ©tufen etne3 morfd£)en 
2Utar3 mit ifyr. 2Bie toarb mir? aU fie ba 

3625 3Rtt fyeifcen Straiten, mit gerungnen £>anben. 
3u meinen giiften fturjte . . . 

Sttta^ 

©ute§ £inb ! 



5. 21 u f jug. 7. 2Cuftritt. 201 

Unb bet ber ©ottlicfjen, bie ba toofyl fonft 
©o mandE) ©ebet erfyort, fo mand)e§ SBunber 
SBerricfytet Ijabe, mi$ befcfjtoor, — mit Slicfen 
3630 3)c§ ftafyren 9JKtIeib3 mid) &efc£)it)or, mtc§ meiner 
2)od) ju erbarmen ! — toenigften§ ifyr ju 
SSergebcn, toetm fie mtr entbecfen mitffe, 
2Ba§ ibre Rxxd)' auf midf) fur 2tnfprudj Ijabe. 

(Ungliicflicfye ! — 63 a^ntc mir !) 

WtQa. 

3$ jet 
3635 2tu3 cf)riftli$em ©ebliite, fei getauft, 

©et $ftatfyan§ £od)ter nidjt, er nidbt mein 33ater ! — 
©ott! ©ott! (Sr nicbt mein SSater ! — ©ittaf) ! ©ittaf) ! 
©ief) mi$ auf3 neu' ju beinen gotten . . . 

Sittaf). 

$e$a! 

3tfd&t bo$! ftefy auf ! — 9Jlein 23ruber fommt! ftefy auf! 



Stebenter 2Iuftrttt. 
©alabtn unb bie $0 rig en, 

Salabtn. 
3640 28a§ gtebt'3 fyier, ©tttaf) ? 

©tttaf}. 

©ie ift bon ftd& ! ©ott ! 

8alabtn, 

2Ber ift'3? 



202 Hatl]au ber rDetfe. 

©u toeiftt ja . . . 

©alabitt* 

UnferS 9tatfyan§ Softer? 
2Ba3 fef)It tf>r ? 

Stttaf), 

Somm bod? ju btr, $inb! — ©er (Sultan . . . 

(hie fief) auf ben $nteen 511 Sa(abtn§ Qfiigen fdjle^t, ben $opf aur (Jrben 

gefenft). 

3^ iW ntcfyt auf ! nid^t efyer auf ! — mag eljer 
2)e3 ©ultan3 2lnt(i$ md^t erblicfen ! — efyer 
3645 3)en Stbglanj etoiger ©erecfyttgfeit 
Unb ©iite nidjt in feinen Stugen, nicfyt 
2luf fetner ©tirn betounbern . . . 

(Balabin. 

©tefy . . . fiel) auf ! 
tRccfia- 

®^ er mir nic^t bertyridjt . . . 

©atabht* 

Somm ! td^ berf^red^e . . . 
©et toa8 e§ hull! 

>Re$a. 

9tt$t tnefyr, nidf)t toemger, 
3650 21(3 meinen 25ater mir ju laffen unb 

9JJicf) ifym ! — 5Rod^ toetfc id) nidjt, it>er fonft mein 3Sater 
3u fetn Derlangt, — berlangen fann. aOBitt'S aucfy 
Sttcfyt toiffen. SCber macfyt benn nur ba3 331ut 
©en SSater? nur ba3 23!ut? 



5. 2Jnf3ug. 7. 2Iuftriti 203 

Salabht (ber fie auf£;ebt). 

3d? merfe U)o^l ! — 
3655 28er ftar fo graufam benn, bir felbft — bit felbft 
©ergleidjen in ben $o£f ju fe^en? 3ft 
@3 benn fdjon bottig au3gemad)t? ertotefen? 

9Jiu6 toofyl! £enn ©aja tottt bon meiner 2lmm' 

@3 fja&en. 

galabtn. 

2)etner 2lmme! 

Wtd)a. 

£)ie e3 fterbenb 
3660 3^r ju bertrauen fief) fterbunben fixate. 

Salabitt. 

©ar fterbenb ! — 3tt$t auci) fafelnb f$on? — Unb toar'3 
2Tudj toatyr! — 3a toofcl: ba3 Slut, ba§ Slut atlein 
9Jiacf)t lange nod) ben 93ater nid&t! mad;t faum 
3)en SSater eine§ S£ieue§! gtebt jum fyocfyften 
3665 2)a§ erfte Sfted^t, \\<$) biefen Xiamen ju 

Srtoerben ! £aft bir boc^ nid)t bange f ein ! — 
Unb toetfet bu toa£? ©obalb ber SSater jtoei 
©i$ urn bidE) ftreiten, — laft fie betbe, nimm 
©en britten ! — 9ftmm bann mid) ju beinem SSater ! 

(Sittal). 

3670 tfyu'3 ! o ttyu'3 ! 

©alabin. 

3d) faiU ein guter 93ater, 
9?ed)t guter SSater fein ! — 3)o$ bait ! mir fattt 
yiofy fciel toa§ SBeff re§ bei. — 2Ba3 braudbft bu benn 
©er SSater itberfyau^t? SOBenn fie mm fterben? 



204 XI at ban ber !t)eife. 

33ei geiten fi$ nacfy etnem umgefefyn, 
3675 2>er mtt un$ urn bic 2Sette leben U)iH! 
^ennft bu nod) leinen? . . . 

9J?adi) fie nid^t errdten! 

©alabht. 

©a§ F?ab' id) atterbingS mir fcorgefe^t. 
©rroten mad)t bie §af$lid)en jo fd;on, 
Unb foHte ©cfyone nidjt nod) fd&oner madjen? — 
3680 3$ fyftbe beinen SSater 3lafyan unb 
Sftocfy einen — einen nod) fyierfyer beftetlt. 
(Srratft bu ifyn? — igter^er I ©u toirft mir bo$ 
©rlauben, ©ittalj? 

Stttalj, 

Sruber ! 

Sala&ttu 

©a£ bu ja 
SSor ifym recfyt fetyr erroteft, liebe£ 9Jlab$en! 

!Red)a, 

3685 SSor toem? erroten? . . . 

Salabht, 

$Ieine §eudj)lerin ! 
Sftun, fo erblaffe lieber ! — 2Bie bu toiUft 
Unb f annft ! — 

((Sine Sftoin tritt fyeretn unb nafyet fidj Sitta§.) 

©te finb bo$ ettoa nidfjt fcfyon ba? 

©ittal), 
©ut! lafc fie nur Ijerein. — ©ie finb e3, Sruber! 



5. 2tuf3ug. £efcter 2luftrttt. 



205 



Setter JCuftrttt. 
9? at I) an unb ber Xempti^exx $u ben 2)origen. 

(Salabitt. 

2lf), meinc guten, lieben greunbe ! — SMdfj, 
3690 3Md^ Slaifyan, mufe i$ nur bor alien SMngen 
Sebeuten, baft bu nun, fobalb bu totCIft, 
2)ein ©elb fcmnft toieber bolen laffen ! . . . 



«Rat fj an. 
(Baiabin. 



%l\m \Ufy id) audj ju beinen S)ienften . . 
©alabin. 



Sultan ! 



©ultan ! 



3Me ^aratoan' ift ba. %<$) bin fo reid^ 
3695 9fam toteber, ate id) lange nicf)t getoefen. — 

Somm, fag mir, toa$ bu braudbft, fo red^t foa§ ©rofte§ 
3u untemefymen ! 35enn aucf) tbr, and? tfyr, 
2$r §anbeMeute, fonnt be§ baren ©elbeS 
gufciel nie Ijaben ! 

^atfjatt, 

Unb tDarum juerft 
3700 35on biefer $Ieinigfeit? — $d) fef>e bort 
(5tn 2lug' in S^ranen, ba3 ju trodfnen mir 
SBeit angelegner ift. (©e&taufsied&asu.) S)u fjaft getoeint? 
2Ba§ f eE>It bir? — bift bodE) meine Softer no$? 



SKcin Sater ! . 



tfietfja. 



206 ttatl\an bcr IDeife. 

*Rati)att. 

SSir fcerftefyen un£. ©enug! — 

3705 ©ei fetter ! ©ci gefaftt ! 2Benn fonft bein §erj 

9iur bein no$ ift! 2Benn betnem §erjen fonft 

9lur lein SSerluft nicfyt brofyt ! — !Uetn SSater ift 

©xr unberloren! 

<tfetf)a, 

Reiner, feiner fonft! 
Xem^elljerr, 
©onft feiner? — 9hm ! fo ^ab id) mid) betrogen. 
3710 9Ba§ man nidjt §u t)erlierert furd&tet, fyat 
9Jtan ju befi^en nie geglaubt unb nie 
©etounfcfyt. — 9te$t too£>t ! red&t toofyl ! — £)a3 anbert, 
©a3 anbert atteSJ ■ — ©alabtn, fair famen [-ftatfyan, 
2luf bein ©e^ff. 2IIIein, idj fyatte bid) 
3715 SSerleitet ; je|t bemiif) btcfy nur ntcfyt toeiter ! 

/ ©alabttu 

SBie gac^ nun tt>ieber, junger 3Jtann ! — ©oil aUe§ 

Sir benn entgegen lommen? 2Ifte3 btcfy 

Srraten ? 

Semjjelljerr, 

■Kim, bu fyorft ja ! fiefyft ja, ©ultan ! 
©atabttu 
@i toaljrlidE) ! — ©cfylimm genug, baft beiner ©a$e 
3720 2)u nicfyt getoiffer toarft ! 

£em£elf)err. 

©0 bin id&'S nun, 

® aIabitt - ^^T^ 
2Ber fo auf irgenb eine SBofyltljat trofct, 

Sttmmt fie juriicf. 2Ba3 bu gerettet, ift 



5. 2X u f 3 u g. Setter 21 uftrttt. 207 

3)e3toegen m$t betn Sigentum. ©onft tear* 
£)er dauber, ben fern ©eij in§ geuer jagt, 
3725 ©0 gut em §elb U)ie bit! 

(9luf 9?ed)a jugetyenb, urn fte bem Sempetfjerrn 3U3ufii()ren.) 

fiomm, Iiebe3 DJJabd^en, 
Somm ! TOmtn 3 mit ibm nicfyt fo genau. ©enn \vdx 
@r anber£, tear' er minber toarm unb ftolj, 
6r fyatt' e§ bleiben laffen, bid) ju retten. 
3)u muftt ifym ein§ fur§ anbre red^nen. — Somm ! 

3730 23ef$dm ifyn ! tlju n>a§ tfym ju tfyun gejtemte ! 
23efenn iljm beine Stebe ! irage bid) ibm an ! 
Unb toenn er bi$ fcerfcfymaljt, bir'3 je bergi^t, 
2Bte ungletcf) mebr in biefem ©cfyritte bit 
§iir \i)\x getljan, aU er fitr bid) . . . 9Sa§ §at 

3735 ®r bennjitr bid^ getfjan? 6tn toenig fief) 

Serautfjern laffen ! — ift toa§ SRed^fg ! — fo fyat 

@r meine§ 33ruber3, metne* SCffab, ni$t3 ! 

©0 tragi er feme Sarfce, nidjt fetn §erj. 

^omm, Siebe . . . 

etttal). 

@eb ! get), Stebe, geb ! ®3 tft 

3740 fjllr beine ©anlbarfeit nod£) immer toenig, 

SJJocfy immer ntd^tS. 

§alt, ©alabtn! bait, ©titafy ! 

Salabm* 

2Iuc^ bit? 

§ier I)at noc§ enter mit ju fpredjen . . . 

<&a\abx\L 
SBer leugnet ba£? — llnftreitig, Dfatfyan, fommt 
©0 einem 5Pflegefc>ater eine ©ttmme 



208 Xlat\\an bcr ttJetfe. 

3745 SJlit ju ! SDte erfte, \vtnn bu tx>ttlft* — 2)u fyorft, 
8^ toeife ber ©acfye ganje Sage. 

5Ri$t fo ganj! — 
3$ rebe nicfyt bon mtr. @3 ift ein anbrer, 
SSeit, toeit ein anbrer, ben id), ©alabin, 
SDoc^ aucfy fcorfyer ju fyoren bitte. 

©alabht. 

3Ser? 
Hrtfyra. 

375° 3#* SJruber ! 

Salabitt. 

SRecfyaS Sruber? 

SRedja. 

SKein Sruber? 

©o fyab' idE) einen ©ruber? 

Setttyenjerr 

(au% feiner ttulben, ftummen gerftreuuna auffatyrenb). 

2Bo? too ift 
(Sr, biefer ©ruber? 3^oc^ nid)t ^ier? gdHoUt' 

2$n ^ er ]<* treffen. 

s J*atf)att. 

9?ur ©ebulb ! 

XCW^Cl^Crr (aufcerft bitter). 

S^t einen 33ater aufgebunben : — toirb 
3755 @r feinen ©ruber fur fie finben? 

Salabuu 

£)a§ 

§at rto$ gefefylt! Shrift! ein fo niebriger 



5. 2t u f 3 u g. Setter 2Iuft'rttt. 209 

SSerbad^t fear itber 3lffab§ Si^en nicfyt 
©efommen. — ®utl fabr nur fo fort! 

SRntljatt, 

SSerjei^) 

8&m! — $$ berjeif)' tfym germ — 2Ber toei£, toa§ h)ir 
3760 2ln feincr ©telT, in feinem Sllter batten! 

(Sfreunbfdjaftlidj auf ifjn sugeljenb.) 

KatOrlidft, Slitter I — 2lrgfrofm folgt auf SJtifttrau'n ! — 
SB'erat %fyv mid? ®ure3 toaljren -KamenS gleid) 
©etoiirbigt fyattet . . . 

SentyeUjerr. 

23ie? 

Watijan. 

3$r f eib lein ©tauffen ! 

Sentyetyerr. 

SSer bin id) benn? 

^atfjatt. 

§ei£t Surb toon ©tauffen m$t! 

Sem^enjerr. 
3765 2Bie fyeifc id? benn? 

Katljait. 

§et£t £eu toon gilnef. 

XempeUjerr* 

SBie? 
^atfjatt. 
3^r ftuftt? 

SempeUjerr. 

3Rtt Sfted^t ! 2Ser fagt ba3? 

*Ratf)am 

3$, ber mefyr, 
9?o$ mefyr @u$ fagen fann. 3$ ftraf inbefc 
(Sucfy feiner 2iige. 



210 Hainan ber IDetfe. 

Xem^etyerr. 

Nathan. 

$ann bocfy toofyl fern, 
3)afc jener 92am' ©ud) ebenfaEte gebtiljrt. 

Xem^cnjerr- 

3770 3)a§ foUt' id) meinen! — (®a3 fytefe ©ott ifm tyrecfyen!) 

^atf)att. 

SDenn Sure 9Jtutter — bie Wax eine ©tauffm. 
2$t 33ruber, ©iter Dfym, ber @u$ erjogen, 
35em Sure ©(tern ©ucfy in ®eutfd)lanb lie^en, 
21(3, Don bem rauljen igtmntel bort fcertrieben, 
3775 ©ie foieber fyter ju Sanbe famen : — ber 

§ie{$ Surb fcon ©tauffen, mag an $inbe§fiatt 
SBieCCeid^t ©ud) angenommen Ijaben ! — ©eib 
%i)x lange fdjon mit ifym nun aucfy fyeriiber 
©efommen? Unb er Iebt bod? nod)? 

Sempenjerr. 

2Ba3 fott 

3780 3d) f agen ? — SRat^an ! — 2tderbtng§ ! ©0 ift'8 ! 

©r felbft tft lot. %tf) lam erft mit ber le^ten 

33erftarfung unferS Drben3. — 2iber, aber — 

2Ba§ fjat mit btefem aHem 9ted)a3 Sruber 

3u Waff en? 

(Suer SSater . . . 

%tmptlf)tvv. 

Sffiie? au$ ben 
3785 £abt 3ftr gefannt? 2lud? ben? 



5. 2luf3ug. £efcter2luftritt. 211 

@r Wax mem greunb. 
£empett>en\ 
2Bar @uer greunb? gft's mogltcfc, 9?at^an! . . . 

Dannie 
©i$ SDBoIf Don gilnef, aber Wax fern SDeutfc^er . . , 

Ztmptfytxv. 
3f)r foifet aucf) ba3? 

^atf>att. 

28ar einer ©eutjdpen mix 
©ermaijlt, Wax Surer SUlutter nur nacf) S)eutfrf)Ianb 
3790 2luf lurje geit gefolgt . . . 

Xem^elljerr. 

9lid)t meljr! S* bitf 
@uc£>! — atber ^e$a§ ©ruber? 3te$a3 ©ruber . . . 

Xttfyni. 

©eib S^r! 

Sempelfierr. 

3$? icf) ifyr ©ruber? 

<Retf)a. 

@r mein ©ruber? 
Sittal). 
©efd&ftrifter! 

(Salabitt. 

©te ©ef drifter! 

9iedja (will auf tljtt au). 

2I£> ! mein ©ruber 
Sempettjerr (tritt jurucf). 
3fyr ©ruber! 



212 Zl a tli an ber IDeife. 

(fyalt an unb menbet fid) 311 Watfyan). 

$ann nidjt fein ! nicfyt fcin ! ©ein §erj 
379s SBeijs nid^tS batton! — 28ir finb 33etrieger! ©ott ! 

©alabttt (jum Sempetfierrn). 

Sctricger? — tote? Sa3 benlft bu? lannft bu benfen? 
SBetrteger felbft! ©enn aHe§ ift erlogen 
2tn bir: ©eficfyt unb ©timm' unb©ang! 9ttd!)t3 bein ! 
©0 eine ©cfytoefter nicfyt erfennen tooHen ! ©efy ! 

Xemi)ett)err 

(fit!) betnutig tfym nafyenD). 

3800 9Tli^beut au$ bu nidjt tnein (Srftaunen, ©ultan! 
93erfenn in einem 21ugenblicf , in bem 
®u fcfytoerlid; beinen 2lffab je gefe^en, 
9ti$t ifyn unb mid? I 

(3iuf Slattern 3ueilenb.) 

gtjr nefytnt unb gebt mir, SRat^an! 
3Kit Pollen §anben beibe§ ! — SRein ! 3#r gebt 
3805 9Jttr tneljr, aU gfyr mir nefymt ! unenblid) mefyr ! 
(SRe$a urn ben §al§ falfenb.) 

2tfy meine ©rfjtoefter! meine ©cfytoefter! 

Slanba 
SBon gfilncf ! 

Slanba? Slanba? — $edE)a ntd&t? 
9ftd?t Sure Sted&a mefyr? — ©ott! gfyr fcerftofet 
©te, gebt tfyr tfyren Gfyriftennamen toteber! 
3810 SSerfio^t fie metnettoegen ! — 9iatljan! Siatfyan! 
SBarum e£ fie entgelten laffen? fie! 



5. 21uf3ug. £efete*2Iuftrttt. 213 

Unb \va$ ? — D meine ^inber ! mcine $mber ! — 
Qtrm meiner Softer 33ruber toar' mem $inb 
9M;t and), — fo&alb er hull ? 

(3nbem er fid) Ujren Umarmungen uberlajst, tritt Salabm mit unrufytgem 
Srftaunen an feiner Sdjtnefter 

^afabitt. 

2Ba3 fagft bu, ©d^tt>efter? 
©tttaf). 
3815 S$ & n gerufyrt ... 

©alabut. 

Unb icfr, — id) fc^aubere 
33or einer groftern SRufjrung faft juritcf! 
Sereite btcfy rntr brauf, fo gut bu fannft. 

gtttaf). 
SBie? 

<3a(abht. 

iRattyan, auf em 2Bort! ein 2Sort! 

(Snbetn 9ratf)an au ijm tritt, tritt Sittaf) au bem ©efdjtmiier, ifym ifjre 
£etlnd)me aw bejetgen, unb 9c at f) cm unb Salabin fprec&en leifer.) 

§or ! f)5r bod), SRatfyan ! ©agteft bu fcorljm 
3820 3Wd&t — ? 

^atfian, 

2Ba3? 

©afabttt. 
2Iu3 IDeutfd&Ianb fei ifyr SSater nid^t 
©ctoefen, ein geborrter £eutfd&eu nxdE>t. 
2Ba3 toar er benn? 35?o toar er fonft benn Ijer? 

Nathan. 

2)a£ tyat er felBft mir me bertrauen tooHen. 
2lu3 feinem SJiunbe toeifc idj nidf>t§ bafcon. 



214 Xlat^an ber IDetfe. 

©alabitt, 

3825 Unb toar aucfy fonft fern gran!'? fein 2lbenbldnber? 

«tfatf|an. 

D ! baft er ber nid)t fet, geftanb er toofyl. — 
@r fprad) am liebften perftfdj . . . 

©alabut. 

2Ba3 toill \$ mefyr ? — ®r tft'8 ! @r tear e3 ! 

SBer? 
©alabhu 

9Jictn ©ruber ! ganj getoift ! SJtein 2lffab ! ganj 
3830 ©etoift ! 

5Run, toenn bu felbft barauf fcerfaHft : — 
Sftimm bie $erficfyrung ^ier in btefem 93u$e! 

(3§tn ba§ SBretrier uberrcitfjenfc.) 

Salabtn 

(e§ begtertg auffdjlagenb). 

211?! feme §anb! Stud) bie erfenn' i$ toteber ! 

■ftocty toiffen fie bon nicfytS! 3^od^ ftetyt'3 bei bir 
2IUein, toaS fie bafcort erfafyren foCCen ! 

Safabtn 

(inbei? er barin geblattert). 

3835 3$ meine§ 33ruber§ ®inber m$t erlennen? 
3$ meine S^effen — meine ^inber nxd^t? 



5. 2Juf3iig. Setter 21 u fir it t. 215 

©te ni$t erlennen? tc§? ©te btr toobl laffen? 

(2Bteber taut.) 

©ie ftnb'3! fie finb e§, ©tttafy, finb ! ©ie finb'S! 
©tub beibe tneineS . . . betne§ SrubcrS $inber ! 

((£r rennt in if) re Umarmungen.) 
(Sittal) (Hjm folgenb). 

3840 28a3 fycr* i$ ! — ®onnt'3 and) anberS, anber§ fein! — 

Sftfabtlt (jum £entpel§errn). 

Nun muftt bu bocf) toofyl, Stofcfopf, mufti mi$ lieben ! 

Cgu ffiec&a.) 

9lun bin id£) bo$, tooju icfy mid) erbot? 
SKagft tooHen ober nic^t ! 

Sitta). 

3$ aucf) ! icfy aud) ! 

(Satabitt 

(3um Sempelfyerrn jururif). 

SRein ©ofm ! mem Slffab I meineS 2lffab§ ©ol;n ! 
Xempelfjerr. 
3845 3$ beine§ 23Iut3 ! — ©0 toaren jene £raume, 
SSomit man meine Rinb^eit toiegte, bocfy — 
£)ocfy meljr aU £raume! 

(Sfjm au SitBen fattenb.) 
©alabitt (t&n auftebenb). 

©efyt ben Sofehrid&t! 

@r touftte toa§ bafton unb lonnte mid) 

3u feinem Corbet macben tootlen ! 9Bart ! 

(Unter ftummer 28ieberf)ohmg aftfeitiger Umarmungen fatlt ber SSorfyang.) 



NOTES. 



ACT FIRST. 



Title. — SRatfjatt* In Boccaccio the Jew's name is Melchisedec, 
reminding of that priest of Jehovah called the prototype of Christ 
(Heb. v. 6; Ps. ex. 4), though we see no special reason for the selec- 
tion. Possibly the prophet Nathan (2 Sam. xii. 1-14), who made 
David see his wrong by a simple parable, had an influence upon 
Lessing's choice; possibly the Nathan in Boccaccio's story (10, 3; see 
Introduction, p. xxvi) suggested the name. However, it is a common 
Jewish name, is euphonious and suited the verse better than Melchis- 
edec. 

Motto. — Introite, nam et heic Dii sunt (Apud Gellium) : Enter, 
for here, too, are gods. These words were put by Aristotle into the 
mouth of Heraclitus, the Ionian philosopher of Ephesus, when visited 
by some friends who were reluctant to enter into a stable where he 
was warming himself. They were interpolated, in this Latin form, by 
Phil. Beroaldus into the preface of Aulus Gellius to his Nodes Atticae 
and transmitted to recent times as a saying of Gellius. Lessing pre- 
ferred the Latin form, probably as the best known. 

ACT I. SCENE 1. 

* ©Cette : gflur tit %lattyan§ £aitfe* $(ltr is entrance-hall, — fre- 
quently paved — from which one enters either directly into the rooms 
of a house, or into a corridor. 

* ^ttjCU In the first sketch this name is Dina, but Lessing's friend 
Ramler having suggested that Daja in Persian and Arabic meant nurse, 

* Shows that the note is on a word occurring in the stage directions. 

217 



218 NOTES. 

or foster-mother, he changed it to Daja. He also found the name 
Daja in an Arabic history of Saladin. 

2. $a§ tljr bod) enbltd) eittmal imeberfommt, that at last you 

really return once more. The accumulation of particles (bod) ertbtid) eilt^ 
mat) well express Daja's anxiety and intense desire for Nathan's return. 
— Sty** The use of the vocative throughout the play conforms in 
general to the usage of the Mid. H. G. period. 3>l)r is very respectful, 
and, through English and French influence, is very popular on the 
stage, while @ie (pi.) is scarcely admitted in serious and elevated 
poetry (except in the drama and the novel) . 3fyr is used in address- 
ing superiors (as Daja and Al-Hafi to Nathan, Daja to the Templar, 
etc.). It is also used by children to parents as a mark of respect (as 
Recha to Nathan) ; and in polite address. 

5. SBafctylott. After the destruction of its defenses by Darius 
Hystaspes, and later, by Xerxes, Babylon never rose again and had at 
this epoch no special significance. 

7. ©ettaJl* Here this word evidently means ©ettetttoege, ^CbtDegc 
madjert, born graben 2Bege afcgdjen, and the preposition ah does not 
have its usual force, as in bergab, ftrotttab, etc., but denotes direction 
towards the side and from the main road. For Nathan is not travelling 
on a side-way, by-way, but is obliged to make constant deviations from 
the direct course, either on account of the unsettled times (third 
Crusade, 1 192-3), or for business purposes, as lines 9-10 would indi- 
cate. 

8. ($Xlt ^ttiei fyttttbert Wltiltn. The German mile equals about 
four and three-fourths English miles. The distance from Babylon to 
Jerusalem is about 140 German or 700 English miles. 

10. f^obCt*t for forbert. Possibly a mistake, for this form does not 
again occur in the play, though the true form does (1. 2486) ; or else 
Lessing is not consistent. It is a dialectic form preferred in the 1 8th 
century by many because they considered it more euphonious. 

11. ajott ber $attb fdjf a^en = rafdj abmadjert, to do quickly, to 

cause no trouble. Cf. rjOtl ber §atlb gefyett, and Lessing in a letter to 
Ramler, rjon ber §cmb tt)egfd)tagett. 

12-13. These words of Daja explain her former „©0tt jet 2)attf," 
etc. For the fire had made Nathan's absence doubly painful. The 
form tnbeJ3 is now generally written irtbeS. 



ACT I. SCENE I. 219 

$a£ brattttte, that (the house), and nothing else, burred; ba§ is 
emphatic; for it indicates that Nathan had heard of the burning of his 
house, but was not aware that anybody's life had been endangered by 
the fire. 

18. <5d)0tt nmtjr ! Quite true, but (bag tft fdjott tvatjx, aber). 

The fdjoit is here concessive as in tr-enn fdjort, objcf)On. 

27. 2$iirbet 3J)r tJOU mix t§ I)i3ren ? Daja implies that she would 
either have burned with Recha or never have awaited his return. 

42. Babylon was noted for its silks and woollens and Damascus for 
its jewelry. 

53. Uttb ftf)ttJCig, The more natural interpretation of these words 
seems to be that Nathan wishes Daja to take his gifts as he gives them, 
without many words, though she understands them in another sense. 
This interpretation would be more in accordance with Nathan's gener- 
ous nature. However, we feel that his real danger lies in Daja's prick- 
ing conscience, and there may be the ulterior meaning of bribery to 
this conscience. 

54-55- %8t* $tt>eifeft f Wafyan, ba§ tfjr tttrfjt, etc. The negation 
here violates the grammar, and is in imitation of the Latin quis dubitat, 
quin, and the Romance Languages, especially the French. But such 
Gallicisms are found in the best writers. 

61. &omm T iiber (£udj ! cf. Matt, xxvii, 25: (geitt SBfat fomme 

liber Utt8 Uttb ltttfre £irtber. Daja knows her Bible well and likes to 
quote it. Or is it Lessing that knows his Bible so well and likes to 
put it in Daja's mouth? For at the time of the Crusades the Bible was 
laid on the shelf and no one knew anything about it, not even the 
priests. Only a select few may have had some knowledge of it. 

63. $$ett1t ts\X mid) f)tntergef)ft ! Recha's non-appearance causes 
Nathan to doubt whether he has heard the whole truth or not. 

65-67. In her feverish excitement her mind continually dwells on 
fire, fie (fta§ fie malet) refers to ^3f)antafte. She passes from the 
sleeping to the waking state indifferently, and not at stated intervals as 
with one in the normal condition of life; while awake her mind is 
feverish, turbid, visionary, and while asleep she dreams. 

68-69. $alb toemger aU Xter, balb meljr al$ (gttgel, Recha 

still has a vague dread that she may be burned alive, and in consequence 
of her excitement her sleep is only broken, so that in the day she feels 



220 NOTES. 

weary. Having no knowledge of psychological truths, Daja describes 
her visionary condition at night as superhuman, nay, superior to that 
of an angel, and her exhaustion by day as weaker than that of an ani- 
mal, which, at least, has the full use of its senses. It is well-known 
that the words of those in such a state can be very apt and even betray 
what seems to be superhuman knowledge. 

70. Cf. Ps. viii. 4 and Job vii. 17. Nathan is reminded of the 
weakness of the flesh. 

71 ff. Here we have one of those wonderful mental visions so often 
observed in such cases. Buchheim calls it " Expectant Attention " and 
credits Lessing with "having given the first psychological explanation — 
in 1779, at a time when mesmerism was in vogue — of the manifestations 
of animal magnetism." This particular phase of these phenomena is 
usually called clairvoyance (or second sight), and the' expectant state is 
a necessary part of the explanation. 

74. $nbem = tnbeffen, tucifyretib bef|en, 

75- 23rarf) fief) tfjr $ttge ttneber, Her eye grew dim again. 

76. £>em feme3 $rme3 ©tittle fief) entpg. @ein refers to $au\>t, 

for the arm is considered the natural support of the head, and not to 
the Templar as some would interpret it. For in that case Recha would 
have to be talking in her dreams and supposing that her head rested on 
the Templar's arm; but she believed the Templar an angel and not a 
human being (see Duntzer on this passage). 

77. <5tUX%t J = fiet, fatt!. In her vivid description Daja uses strong 
expressions. 

79. 3®a3 SShittber* In Mid. H. G. the genitive after ft)er and tocio 
was the usual construction, but this construction has now passed into 
simple apposition, though it still remains in phrases like tt)Ct§ be$ 
£eufet§, toa§ §enfer§, ttaS tft SSeigeS bort am griinen 2BaIbe, etc. 

90. (Semen wt&ermuteten ©ettunft = feiti utitoermutet tfym ge< 

fd)enfte§ £eben. The figure is taken from gambling where the winnei 
is ever ready to risk the stakes he has unexpectedly won. 

91. $rifdj, boldly. 9Bar = ft&re . . . getnefetl. When a negative 
reality is to be represented, then the preterite indicative is (often) used 
instead of the subjunctive, as „3ene Ijat getebt (that is, tebt nitfjt meljr), 
ttemt id) bte3 SBtatt au§ meitten §anben ge&e." 

94. &0t3 erfte = fiir§ erfte. Formerly t>or and fur were inter- 
changeable. 



ACT I. SCENE I. 221 

98. *£)£§ §(JUfC^» The insertion of the genitive between the gov- 
erning noun and its modifying adjective is a very bold imitation of the 
classic construction, but found in the German of the 15th century in 
translations from the Laiin. 

£unbftf)aft = Jhmbe, $ertntrti§, SBefatmtfdjaft. This is an earlier 
meaning of the word, now obsolete. The more general construction 
would be with t>ort rather than with the genitive. 

100. Wit Dorgefprei^tem Wantcl = mit nttdj born cmsgebrettetem 
SJtatltel. The cloak was held out before him and drawn together so as 
to shield him from the fire. 

104. %)iit ettt3 (eitteS, old ace; cf. auf etrtS, in eut§, both from 
Lessing) = mit etrtma( or einem Wlale = plo^licf). 

105. (£mpov fie tragenb == emporijaftenb, trug er jte. 

no. Utttertt = UUter ben. This contraction of the article and 
preposition is very rare. 

in. $e3 9htferftattbettett ($tab. Even at that period there was 
a church of the Holy Sepulchre which was said to contain a monument 
enclosing the grave of the Lord. The real grave in this church was a 
sarcophagus of bluish white marble, they say. The very site of the 
church is unknown. 

113. (Sntfcot. The real meaning of erttbtetert is burd) eirtert SBotert 
fagen faffert. But Daja is the messenger, not the one sending the 
message, hence Lessing must have transferred its meaning from the 
sender to the messenger. (Srfyob in the same line seems also to be 
used in a peculiar sense, for it means ' to raise,' * to exalt,' ' to praise.' 
We may translate, I tha?iked, implored (praised), urged, conjured. 

120. $emanb antvtUn = rtafye Semartb tretert = mit eirter SBitte 
obex ixberfyaupt mit einer gorbentng ttalje gu Semattb tretett. 5frttretert 
is more forcible here than cmgefjetl would be. Cf. 1. 517. 

125. Uttfer3 5luferftattbenett. In the first sketch Lessing wrote 
feirte§, etc. Cf. 1. 1550. Daja intentionally includes herself in the 
blessing of a risen Lord and also gently hints to Nathan that Recha 
belongs to the same faith. 

133. Sid) ^Ctttfett, a more forcible, but a less elegant expression 
than fief) ftretten. The high esteem we have comes from the judgment 
($0pf), our inclination (cmgqogen toerbett) from the heart. Nothing 
hurts more than contempt for our judgment, hence we easily hate the 



222 NOTES. 

one despising our high esteem and possibly transfer this to all mankind. 
But Recha's feelings are stronger than her reason, and this cool, indif- 
ferent treatment would naturally depress her and lead to melancholy 
(@d)U)ermut). Notice the figure of chiasmus, as 2ftenfcf)enl)af3 refers to 
$0pf and @d)tt)erttUtt to §er$. For the better definition of @djtt)tirmer 
(visionary, enthusiast, dreamer) see " Education of the Human Race," 
§90, in Lessing's Complete Works (Lachmann's ed.), X, 325, and 
XI (2), 67 ff. In the normal condition reason and feeling are in 
accord; in the visionary state they exchange places; the head feels, 
the heart reflects. The distorted fancies of the brain become inspira- 
tions of the feelings and the excitement of the feelings reflections of 
reason. Hence Nathan says : SDaS latere tft 9fad)a8 gall: ftc fcfyttmrmt. 
She had lost the equilibrium between reason and feelings. 

141. @ cfrf) ttiar tttt. The special idiomatic use of the past parti- 
ciple after fyeiften, fein, nennen is well-known. Cf. 2)a8 Ijeiftt fd)ted)t 
geroorfen, unter efyrltdjen £euten netxnt man ba& gelogen, grtfd) geroagt 
iff l)atb geraonnen, and our example: 3ft bod) aud) gefdjradrmt (is 
indeed also visionary dreaming). 

142. @Ute — ©rifle. The dash indicates that Daja suddenly realizes 
that Nathan will only mock her superstitions and substitutes ©rifle 
(whim, caprice) for ©lailbett (belief, faith). Therefore she cleverly 
conceals from him (cf. 1577) that she had made Recha believe that an 
angel had saved her, thus condemning her own work in the one word 
©rifle. 

144. $ellte3 tri>ifd)ett ($ater$ ©oI)tt) is pleonastic, though quite 
oriental and not foreign to Greek and Latin. It is the Saxon genitive. 

148. After toerfyullt supply getnefett fei, and after gefdjtnebt in the 
next line Ijabe. Such omissions are common in German. 

For mtt em§ cf. 1. 104. 

152. The belief of the active interference of angels in bodily form 
in the affairs of men was common to Christians, Jews and Mussulmans 
at that period. 

156-177. 2>Ctt SBtfbeU = ben tmgejttteten, for he had rudely re- 
fused thanks. SaUtUrjCtt = lauitifdjeil, splenetic, ?noody. 

158. The fine irony of the passage as seen in the words fyiemtebett 
and toaflen is exquisite, fallen is used of those on a pilgrimage and 
SBafler means a pilgrim. The thrust is directed against the too com- 
mon sanctimoniousness of the age. 



ACT I. SCENE 2. 223 

159. Ungefittet Ofttterftfjaft ju tretfcen, Sftitterfdjaft = ritter* 

Uf^eS £I)ntt. His deed was chivalrous, but his conduct since the deed 
has been rude. 

163-4. Compare Lessing also in Minna von Barnhelm, Act Fifth, 

Scene Ninth : „Wlinna ttdre fonft ein Chigel, ben id) mit edfycmbern 
uere^ren mujjte, ben idj nidjt lieben fonnte." Lessing also wrote the 

following epigram in the album of one who believed that he had a 
friend without a blemish and that his beloved was an angel : — 

„%xa\i feinem fyreunbe fonber Sftangel, 
Unb lieb em 2ftabd)en, fetrten Snget." 

167. ^djlitttm = jdjjtau, bad or -wicked, in a playful sense. Nathan 
ridicules the idea of an angel having come to rescue Recha. 

ACT I. SCENE 2. 

169-70. In lines 72-4, Recha in her visionary state hears her 
father's voice, but his long delay in coming to her makes her believe 
that his voice had only preceded him, hence her joyous surprise on 
seeing him bodily before her eyes. 

177. ©atftig, in the sense of abfd^eulicf). It refers to the implied 
^bfcfjeu or ©djauber which Recha feels at the thought of such a death. 
The tremor of fright caused by the thought is indicated by the " O." 
According to the stage direction in the first sketch she rushes into her 
fathers' arms at the words „mem $inb, mein ftebe3 $tnb." 

189. $ie nngetrenen <3triJm\ Cf. Schiller's auf nngetrenen 2BeI* 

ten in the ring of Polycrates. The Romans frequently called the sea 
perfidus, treacherous {perfida freta)> and the idea is as old as poetry 
and the knowledge of the sea. 

193. %$QXQt)pXt\%ttV 2ftatttel, Cf. line ioo and the note. The 
Templars wore white (trjei^e) linen mantles. 

195- $urd)3 Jyeuer triig T f toon feinem $ittitf)e &ewef)t, A rather 

bold construction in German, as t)erftel)t must modify geuer ([the 
fire] blown away by his wing) the object of a preposition, rather than 
Recha (mid)), to which some refer it. 

198-9. The fond father is speaking here when he makes his 
daughter equal to an angel. Perhaps there is just a touch of self-adula- 



224 NOTES. 

tion in these words, which imply that the father of such a daughter 
must also have angelic qualities. Recha hints as much in her reply. 

200. 333cm f(f>meid)eft tl)V ? etc. This reading was suggested by 
Ramler, though no one knows just what the original reading was. 
Duntzer suggests „ttiir, mein SSater?" instead of „toem? bent (Sngel?" 
Some have interpreted the words as indicating that Recha considered 
herself the image of her father, but this does not seem a logical deduc- 
tion. For, however much a personal resemblance might natter his 
vanity, it would not make him prouder of her or more inclined to 
compare her with an angel. The passage is difficult to understand 
exactly, but seems to mean : " Are you complimenting the angel on his 
remarkable insight, or yourself for being the father of such a daughter? " 
Of course the words are playful. 

203. ©ettmfjreit = Ijer&orbrittgett, produce; or perhaps its usual 
meaning of offer, present, suffices for a fair rendering of the thought, 
though it could not * offer ' without ' producing.' 

212. SSfltt after (SttUtjfeit, This Biblical phrase adds force and 
beauty to the idea expressed. 

220. Dl)U r fciefe^ is a violent apocope. 

225. Qixtl = @ef)tm. According to Lessing, §im is more sonor- 
ous and forceful and perhaps for that reason better adapted to poetry, 
though (Sefyirtt is possibly not less frequent in poetry. Here it may be 
a mere question of meter. The brain is likened to a stringed instru- 
ment whose strings snap when over-strained. 

226. (SttbttUtatCtU Rather learned for Daja, but probably she 
had heard Nathan himself use it in some of his philosophical talks. 

227. 3 er fa* en 9 en — i*rft>rengen tnctdjen; for it is used in a causa- 
tive sense. 

228. 2$ttttber£ tttdjt fjetUtg, In the earlier history of the language 
the use of the partitive genitive was more frequent than now. But it is 
still used with gertug and in expressions like 2Ber lttlb It) a 3 2Inber§, 
Semartb, 9?iemattb 2Inber§, totel, toeing, tnefyr ©ute§, etc. 

232. (£ute3 XttttpttytXtW fcerfdjont. The genitive is the older 
construction with fd)0ttert and its compound fcerftfjottett and is often 
used now. Historical facts do not confirm this statement (cf. also 
line 88) , as Saladin frequently spared Templars and other warriors. 

232-236. The true Templars preferred death at the hands of 



ACT I. SCENE 2. 225 

Saladin, the greatest enemy of Christianity, to pardon, and therefore 
never asked to be spared. The statement in lines 235-6 re„ts upon a 
historical fact related in Marin, Histoire de Saladin, I, 249 f. In a 
battle Odo de St. Amaud had been taken prisoner; the Sultan offered 
him his liberty in exchange for one of his Emirs who was a prisoner of 
the Templars. His reply was that a Templar ought either to conquer 
or die, and could only give his sword and belt as ransom. 

235. Sebettt — teberrtert. When the adjective already ends in n 
Lessing frequently omits the ending — ett. Cf. lines 294, filbent = 
ftfbernen; 897, 3528, albern = albernen. 

237. £a3 fdjKeftt ftfr mtdj = ba« fprtdjt fur mid), beroeift fur 

mid). The commentators claim that fdjliefjeit has this meaning only 
here and in one or two other places. Cf. Sanders, Worterb. 3, 958, 
2 col. Then Recha considers Xathan's remark an argument in her 
favor; but by giving the expression a slightly different shade of mean- 
ing it would refer to Recha's inner conviction that she had seen an 
angel face to face and needs no further argument to convince her. 
However, it may only mean "that argues for me." 

251. $iele Sttmtt^tg %al)Xt I)er. In Silesia and Lusatia Diet joined 
with gtDan^ig denotes an indefinite number : SSid $tt)art$ig fotnmeit ben 
Xclq jum §errn nnb molten Ujn jprecfjcn. Cf. also einige jmatijig 
where urtb after einige is omitted. As Lessing was from Lusatia this 
idiom was familiar to him. 

252. In line 2649 we learn that the name was Assad. 

253. Line 2986 informs us that he fell at Ascalon. 

258. UttgiauBUcf)Cr0, That is, the angel theory. For the synco- 
pated form cf. lines 458, abgef djmctcf terS 5 783, befferS; 1664, 23id)tiger§, 
and in Goethe, UeberS, abgefdjmacfterg, graulid)er$. Lessing also has 
gertngreS, fd)onres, where the first e is syncopated. 

260. Seilt ©efdjuuftcr* 2>a8 ©ejdjttnfter is here used in the 
collective sense, and therefore properly stands in the singular. Marin 
(1. c. I, ill, 112) tells us that Saladin was very fond of his family. 

266. (5-ett Uietttt ? Modern usage requires fett rccrmt. Originally 
raann and tuenn, bcmn and benn were not different and even now are 
interchangeable in colloquial language. About the middle of the 18th 
century the two terms were differentiated in the written language. In 
Mid. H. G. and in the older Mod. H. G. roenn was preferred. 



226 NOTES. 

268-9. Nathan had urged a natural miracle for Recha's rescue; 
that is, the pardon of the Templar who rescued her, all in the natural 
order of things; Daja required an unnatural miracle; that is, an angel. 
Either case required equally strong belief; hence Nathan's pleasant 
raillery. 

272-5. Certainly an elevated Christian idea that the counsels and 
plots of kings serve God's purposes. He makes them his sport and 
scorn by destroying them. Cf. Ps. ii. 2-5. ©etlt ©^tcl will be best 
considered as the accusative in apposition with ©tttfrfjlitffe and @ltt= 
ttmrfe and the clause menu tutfjt fetrt ©pott = tuettn (fie) nidjt fein 
©pott (ftnb), (irtbem er fie rjerrtidjtet). 

275-6. The repetition of ntCttt 2?ater is emphatic; for Lessing 
would hardly be guilty of repetition to fill out the verse as some critics 
pretend. Any good actor would manage the phrases without difficulty. 

283. S3ug = SBtegurtg. 

284. SBUbeit, barbarous. "Jews and Mussulmans were then the 
only learned men," says Lessing in one of his fragments, and the East 
was then in a higher state of civilization than the West. And yet the 
adjective may refer especially to the Templar, who was rude and im- 
petuous in his nature. 

286. 2Bttttberfiirfjt r ge3 23oIf. A colloquial expression used in 
good-natured irony {wonder -loving people) . 

293 ff. This parable sounds oriental, but Diintzer is probably right 
in ascribing its invention to Lessing. 

299-300. The meaning is not quite clear. If we believe we can 
be nearer God by merely " feeling ourselves so much nearer," then we 
abase the true conception of God, and detract from his majesty by our 
boasting; otherwise, as Nathan says, Daja's words are " nonsense." 

310. Since the fifth century angel-worship has been quite common 
in the Church, and many angels have special days set apart for their 
worship, as the archangels Gabriel and Michael, and the patron angels. 
These remarks are intended more especially for Daja the Catholic than 
for Recha, as the Jews did not have any days set apart for angel-wor- 
ship. 

311-312. SDZtd) 2)ettd)t. The older conjugation of bunfert was: 
biirtfen, bcind)te (rarely bcmd)te) ; gebtiud)t (rarely gebcmdjt). Now the 
verb is regular (biirtfen, biinfte, gebiinft). From btiudjte were then 



ACT I. SCENE 3. 227 

formed the presents baud)tetl and btilld)en\ 2)eud)t is only another 
spelling. The earlier language preferred the accusative with this verb, 
and it is now the best accredited, though the dative is more common. 

320. Cf. line 94 ff., where Nathan expresses the same thought. 

323. JSetgmigf Gilt, now generally geniigfam, denotes that state or 
condition of inner contentment which is satisfied with little. Daja of 
course means that the Templar has no physical wants. 

325. Untern *palmetu Cf. line 119. 

329. <3rf)ab r t, unusual and harsh contraction; cf. Ijatt'ft, line 354 
below, and Itib't for labet. Goethe also uses ftrtb't, bifb't, etc. 

334. ^tGUfe* Even now Orientals generally call those from the 
western nations Franks because the first crusaders were mostly Franks, 
that is, Frenchmen. 

335-6. The rules of St. Benedict and of Bernard of Clairvaux were 
very strict, requiring hard labor and privations; those of the Templars 
were modelled after them. Hunger and watching belong to the duties 
of a soldier. 

339. 9U), Strictly speaking this should be ad), which is generally, 
though not always, used to express pain, while al) expresses joyful 
surprise and wonder. But Lessing frequently exchanged them and 
they are now often exchanged. 

340. 3utyrad) T , now 3utyrud). 

343. " Even Goeze, Lessing's opponent, said in a sermon on love 
towards those of other religions that we must also love enemies and 
unbelievers and help them where we can: ,($eimg, e3 tfi eirt SDtafd), 
Itttb better Wtfer -ftadjfter.' " The Templar only needed to know that 
a human life was at stake to rush to its rescue. 

346. $fyttt re f ers back to „toa§," which is here regarded as a 

person. Cf. „2B&8 fttfj ttecft, ba% lieht ftd)"; „2Ba8 fttf) nod) jiingft in 
blnt'gem §aj3 getrennt, ba$> tfyeitt entjiitft bie adgemeine 2uft." 

355. He had only wished to cure the (£nge(f(^njtirmertn, and now 
comforts her about the Templar. 

358. Comforting words to Recha, but not containing an absolute 
truth; for God does not always reward the good done here in this life. 
The comfort to Recha lies in the words : ®ettnf? f ttidjt tot I 

360-1. Because @d)tt>annerei is merely a quiescent state of fancy 
and feeling, while action requires an effort of the will. One is indo- 



228 NOTES. 

lent self-indulgence and the other is true manhood active in good 
works. 5(nbod)ttg ©rf) tt> firm ett, indulging in devout contemplation, as 
the Quietists. 

364. ^iitfett is here used in its obsolescent signification of notig 
l)Clbert, braudjen; in order that he may not need to act well. 

372. 5U=§ftft, the barefooted. See Introduction, p. xxxvi. In this 
character we may observe Lessing's skillful use of humor, though 
elevated above the merely comical; for Al-Hafi represents the humor- 
ous element in human nature. 

374. $ijtttmt* According to Kehrein fommt is Netherlandish, 
while fomtttt is high German. Lessing is very fond of fomtttt. 

375* ^Utettt ttttt Ctttf) appears a rather brusk expression in the 
mouth of Nathan. But he has already asked them twice (lines 359 
and 367) to withdraw, and this cannot appear harsh, as it was said to 
hurry them away before the stranger arrived and saw them, a thing not 
permitted in the East (cf. Diintzer, p. 84, and Niemeyer, p. 99). Some 
think Nathan had kept Recha secluded, so that no one should find out 
his secret. Of course Nathan did not easily recognize the Dervish in 
his fine dress as treasurer. 

ACT I. SCENE 3. 

376. $ltX%t Xtnx bit 2lugett <Utf r colloquialism among the lower 
classes. The cynical Al-Hafi constantly uses such expressions while 
Nathan speaks in pleasant raillery with him. 

381. ©0 bet redjte 'iCertMfd)* ©0 is here used to qualify and 
restrict the words it introduces and means „id) metrte"; „ba§ fjeiftt," 
that is, the genuine Dervish. 

385. Settt SWettfd) ttttt^ miiffctt. This celebrated saying evidently 
means that no one should allow outward force to make him do any- 
thing against his inner convictions of what is right and wrong. Nathan 
refers to this outer force, while the Dervish refers to the inner convic- 
tion. 

Ultb Ottt £>erttufd) tttii^te ? The battle-cry of the Dervishes was 
freedom, hence Nathan's surprise that a Dervish must needs do any- 
thing. 

386-7. 29Sarum ♦ ♦ ♦ erfemtt The ttmntm of the first clause implies 



ACT I. SCENE 3. 229 

the omitted ft>a§ (ftmS er fur gut erlemit) of the second and the ba$ of 
the following clause is the antecedent of both. tuarum here = Ultl 
tt)a3 and is used for the more correct Riorum. 

388. ^Bei Uttferm Qbott ! According to the general trend of the 
drama this can mean nothing else than that Nathan considers God com- 
mon to all mankind in spite of the differences of their religious beliefs, 
thus denying a separate God for Jew and Mussulman. 

389. 9JlCttf(l) is here used in its pregnant sense of a truly noble 
person. Cf. 1491-2. 

390. Uttb (tl)r) ffflgt, etc. The omission of the pronoun in 
German is rare, but the poet often. takes that liberty either to imitate 
colloquial speech, as here, or in elevated lyric style. Cf. Goethe : 
$aht nun, acf) ^^ilofo^te, etc., ftubtrt, etc.; giiHeft ttneber 23ufdj unb 
Zfyal ©till mit ^ebelglan^ Cf. also Grimm IV, 214. 

392. $erl denotes one of great physical and even mental strength, 
but unpolished. As Dervish Al-Hafi was one of nature's sons and as 
free as the air he breathed, but cynical; this expression belongs to the 
cynical part of his character. 

*£>££, now bejjen, incorrectly often written be§; it is the older form 
found in Mid. and O. H. G. 

396. SSitt fcttt; tuiH is here used in the sense of claims ; which also 
claims respect. 

398. $0(fj* Said half seriously and half in earnest. For Nathan 
has but little faith in the practical ability of the Dervish, and therefore 
mentions that office as a proper one for his friend, which he might be 
able to fill with honor and to the satisfaction of his master. But the 
Dervish thinks he might add steward (line 400) also, as that with 
Nathan w r ould not be too much. 

402. 255orbett» In the Mid. H. G. the participle ge- w r as not so 
rigorously required in the formation of the past participle as at present. 
Luther, Herder, Goethe, Schiller and others, omit it w 7 ith tnorbeu. 

403-4. S)e3 fleutern <3tf)at?e3 — be3 gri^ern. It is said that 

when Saladin first acquired the office of vizier of Egypt he wished to 
abdicate in favor of his father Ayoub, so great was his tenderness for 
him, but the latter refused this dignity and took charge of the finances. 
The greater treasury was the state treasury, which, according to 
Lessing's drama, was in charge of Saladin's father; but this is an 



230 NOTES. 

anachronism, for his father was dead at this time. The lesser treasury 
was that of Saladin's own household, now in the hands of the Dervish. 

406. $ft tJon feincm $aufe = geprt git feinem £aufe. The con- 
struction is French, est de sa maison, and not German. 

408. W\t Strumjjf tmb 8ttel tierttlgett f now mit ©tumpf unb 

©ttel Derttlgett. Notice the alliteration and compare iiber ®tocf 
unb @tetn, mit £aut unb £aar, mit 9ftann unb SftauS, $tnb unb 
tegct 

411. Xroi? ehtem, ^ w*/Z <w; er ^auft tro£ einem ^Pferbe, he runs 
as fast as any horse. 

415-417. Experience teaches that poverty cannot be removed by 
the greatest generosity, nor should we refuse on that account to listen 
to the calls of distress. The metaphor begun by the Dervish and 
finished by Nathan is extremely felicitous. 

418-421. Lessing remarks in the first sketch of his drama that the 
Arabs ascribe this maxim to Aristotle. It would not do for princes to 
rob their subjects, for the greed of princes would impoverish their 
people and either drive them to vices of all kinds or to a revolution. 
That would be bad enough, but it would be ten times worse if the 
people should plunder the treasury of the princes, for then they (the 
princes) would have to plunder the rich to satisfy the poor. Nathan 
cannot assent to this last alternative, as his compassion for the poor is 
too great. 

422. %f)v fjabt $nt rcbcn = man mag immerlu'n reben, e§ ift um= 

fonft $U reben, in imitation of the French avoir beau dire, it is in vain to 
talk. The Dervish thinks that Nathan would talk differently if he had 
his experience. 

^Ottttttt CUt, In the Imperative : fomm an ! employed as a challenge 
to the waiting opponent to come on; moreover as challenge in general 
= tD0f)tan, well, good, done. Sanders' Worterb. I, 975. Here it is 
used in the sense of %6}t gegeben. There is a controversy between 
them about the maxim, and the Dervish calls Nathan's attention to the 
proof of the justice of his remark. 

425. 29ttdjertt f here == 3inf en einbringen, and does not have its 
usual meaning of usury, 

432. ©djeibe&rtef — ' bill of divorce,' but here in the sense of 
farewell (to our friendship) . 



ACT I. SCENE 3. 231 

435. Al-Hafi could not conduct the finances of Saladin honorably 
with an empty treasury. 

437- Sty* f rfjttttelt. Supply ben $0pf, an unusual omission. 
439-40. Viehoff paraphrases thus : „2tt=§aft ©ernrifd) tft luittfom> 

men, an %Uem Xty'ii gn nefjmen, trja§ id) in meinent $ermogen tjabe." 

441. ^eftCfbat f here treasurer. It really means Minister of 
Finance. 

444-5. Al-Hafi already contemplated leaving a position so distaste- 
ful to him because it brought him too much in contact with the world. 
Son of Nature as he is he loves the hot sands of the Ganges whence he 
came; or, perhaps, of the desert, as we may judge from line 497. 

450. £etd)t, that is, freed from his duties as treasurer. 

SBftffuf?, Walking barefooted in the hot sands was a mortification 
for sins. 

451. Sfttt JttCittCtt Severn* Nodnagel says: "The teachers of 
Hafi on the Ganges are Brachmins, from the farthest antiquity in pos- 
session of the treasures of wisdom, much of which has passed to occi- 
dental lore and poetry; they live in voluntary poverty, now as teachers, 
now as hermits." He belongs to the Parsees or Ghebres, who believe 
in the Zoroastrian-Brachminical idea of the purification of the soul by 
means of physical mortifications of the body. They of course despised 
worldly possessions. 

456. %VX $QUl f in a trice. Colloquially f)ut is used as a substan- 
tive. 

$>en retdjftett Settler tit emeu arrtten Wtitytn. This is one of 

Lessing's favorite antitheses. The contented poor man is richer than 
the discontented, avaricious, greedy rich man. Duntzer reminds us that 
Lessing found this thought in a Latin collection of riddles by Hollonius 
and Setzer (1615). 

471. Uttttttlb tttilb, illiberally liberal. This figure of speech 
(oxymoron), the joining of two contradictory ideas, produces a very 
pleasant epigrammatical effect. Cf. concordia discors, insapiens sa- 
pientia, etc. SD^tlb is probably used here in the Mid. H. G. sense of 
liberal, generous. 

473 ff. Lessing's fertility in metaphors and similes in this whole 
scene is remarkable. Already we have had the changing ebb and 
flood tide, the engulfing canals, the open sluices, and now appears the 



232 NOTES. 

stopped pipes sending forth unclean (unrein) and spurting (fymbelnb) 
the waters they 'have received clear and calm. The imrei.lt and 
ftmtbefttb are perhaps best explained by the uttfyolb and uttgeftiim 
above. 

477-8. This of course refers to birdsnaring, where the fowlers imi- 
tate the calls which decoy the birds into the snare. The ©impel (bul- 
finch, redfinch, here blockhead) is so easily snared that the word has 
become proverbial for simpleton. 

478. ©C(f f etc., self-complaisant fool that I am, for he says above 
that he had felt nattered. 

481. 23etf)ttttbert taufenbctt = in StbtfyeUwtgen toon Ijuttberttau* 

fenben; cf. the English, by hundreds. It is not the equivalent here of 
Bet in such expressions as bet fitnfeig £cmfenb = gegett fiinfaig Xaiu 
fettb, about 50,000, but rather by hwtdred thousands. This is not a true 
picture of the great ruler — who was celebrated for his clemency, 
justice, moderation and liberality, and never was known to exact unjust 
tribute. He often restored what was lawfully his own and gave the 
rest to his officers, leaving so little property that his funeral expenses 
had to be raised by contribution among his friends. Therefore 
Diintzer's interpretation of bet §Uttberttcmfettbett = bet eg Ijitttbert 
taitfettbe gibt, may be right. The idea would then be that, seeing that 
hundreds of thousands are oppressing, etc., it is folly to wish to appear 
a philanthropist to individuals. But perhaps the state of passion to 
which the Dervish had wrought himself will account for his exaggerated 
statements. 

483. 5ttt eht^eltt. Either a dative plural from the older form 
eittget (Mid. H. G. and later), or to be explained as line 235 above. 
Cf. Matt, v, 45, for the following lines, and remember the fact that 
Saladin gave to friend and foe, to the needy of all creeds, with unstinted 
generosity. 

496. 9}larf|C + Pray, do hasten off into, etc. Wladjtn here has its 
colloquial meaning. For the next sentence compare E. von Kleist's 
saying: (Sin roaljrer Sftenfdj mug fern r>on 9ftenftf)em fciti* This is the 
true character of the Dervish, and the world would only rob him of his 
real humanity by its disagreeable frictions which he does not under- 
stand how to turn to his best interests. 



ACT I. SCENES 4 AND 5. 233 

ACT I. SCENE 4. 
519. ^Better aB fid) fdjliigt = ben 2Beg Derldgt Cf. ben 2Beg cirt* 

fd^fagen, turns aside. 

524. SftfeUt = WhtUZ} tttfytit. Formerly SCbfein was more fre- 
quently employed than now, found in Opitz, Flemming and Hagedorn. 
Cf. the form ^ajetu. Notice the noble motive that Nathan gives for 
the Templar's action and the unpleasant contrast with the real reason 
given in line 528 : cr fottttttt ^U fetnem 3nben. Nathan is broad and 
the Templar is narrow and rude. 

528. (£\l(f). The ethical dative used in an indeterminate way to 
express the interest of the speaker or hearer. 

ACT I. SCENE 5. 

(Scene: £empe(f)err. The order of the Knights Templars was 
founded about 1118 by some French knights, who " bound themselves 
by a vow to the Patriarch of Jerusalem to guard the public roads, to 
live as regular canons, and to fight for the King of Heaven in chastity, 
obedience, and self-denial." "The Templars almost from their founda- 
tion had their quarters in the palace of the Latin kings, which had 
been the mosque of Mount Moriah. This place was also known as 
Solomon's Temple,"' hence the name Templars. It was "a military 
order from its very origin, inasmuch as its earliest members banded 
themselves together for the express purpose of giving armed protection 
to the numerous pilgrims, who, after the first crusade, flocked to Jerusa- 
lem and the other sacred sites in the Holy Land." 

The palms were near the cloister (cf. Act 3, scene 18, line 21 11) 
from which the Templar has just come, and the friar follows him at a 
distance. 

Adolf Stahr thinks that Lessing saw originals for his friar during his 
journey in Italy with prince Leopold of Brunswick. 

532. $or lunger 2$etfe = cms £cmgtnet(e. He is not following 
me merely to kill time, merely because he has nothing better to do. 

533. ®Uttt SBtnbet, that is, lay brother of a mendicant order; one 
who has received ordination is called father. Hence the Templar's 
question: 3d) famt twti) raof)t $ater nemten, nidjt? Similarly Gotz 



234 NOTES. 

von Berlichingen in Goethe's drama (i, 2) greets brother Martin as 
worthy father. And the answers are also similar. The lay brother had 
to take oath to obedience, celibacy and submission to the cloister; his 
duties were usually outside the cloister. They often showed true 
humility and were ready for the most menial services. 

536. 2$er , . ♦ toa3 fjatte = SSertrt jemanb rmr feibft toaS Ijatte. 
In O. H. G. fter and ft)a§ were used as indefinite pronouns, but at 
present this use is retained only in colloquial language. They are then 
equivalent to Jemattb and etftCtS. 

544. ($itt fleitte^ ^tlgetmaljl, etc. It was considered a part of 
the duty of the cloisters to keep open house, and many were celebrated 
for their hospitality. 

546. §err. In the 17th century §crr and gratt began to be used 
in the case of address; §err is still thus employed. Chamisso is very 
fond of it and Lessing uses it in this play. 

550-551. In Baumgarten's Universal History, IV, 81, we learn that 
there was danger of blood-heating and ulceration, if foreigners partook 
of dates, but this statement lacks confirmation. 

552. Compare line 1633: Unb toaxt mtt (Suerm Summer geijtger 
%l% (Slterm £eben? The cause of his melancholy lay chiefly in his lack 
of everything as captive, though apparently free, in his enforced inac- 
tivity, and the latent love for the Jewish maiden (provided that had 
already made itself felt) whom he had saved from the fire. 

555. (Srfunbett, now erfunbigert. Cf. also line 2746, erfunbete, 

(Siltem Uttf bett Bftljtt fiit)leit, "to sound one, to feel one's pulse"; 
a colloquial expression taken from the dentist who examines the teeth 
to find the defective ones. 

561. That is, true obedience is blind. It wills what another wills, 
while the seeker for fine distinctions (ber fluge(t) first tests the right 
and wrong and then acts upon his own judgment, which, according to 
the friar, is not true obedience, but independent action. This shows 
the different principle governing the two characters : the Templar 
makes nice distinctions (fliigelt), the friar obeys without examination 
of causes, but in such a way that no harm ever comes from it. 

The conjunction bafj sometimes introduces sentences expressing a 
wish, a threat, etc., leaving the wish, threat, etc., to be supplied from 
the verb of the subordinate clause : 3)ag bit mtr rmr 2Bort Ijaltjt (3d) 



ACT I. SCENE 5. 235 

ratrje Mr, ba$, etc.); Stag bocr) tie (Stnfalt tmmer red)t Berjdtt ! (2Bie 
tDa^r tft e$, baft bod), etc.). Simplicity is instinctively true where too 
much philosophizing goes astray. Cf. Schiller's 2£orte be§ (Slaubert8: 

llnb ma§ fetn SBcrftanb ber SSerftartbigen fief)t, 
Say iibet in Gtnfatt etn ftnbtitf) ©emiitf). 

570. Qftg rotC ^rCU^ + The Templars (Knights Templars) were 
probably the most renowned of the three great military orders founded 
in the 12th century, the Hospitallers (Knights of St. John of Jerusalem 
later Knights of Malta), the Teutonic Knights and the Knights Tem- 
plars. " The three orders were distinguished from each other by their 
garb. The Hospitallers wore black mantles with white crosses, the 
Templars white mantles with red crosses, the Teutonic Knights, white 
mantles with a black cross. The white color of the Templars signified 
their own innocence and their mildness for Christians, while the red 
denoted the bloody martyr-death and the enmity to unbelievers." 

573. £ebtUN, a strong fortress north of Ptolemais, near Tyre, on 
the road to Sidon. It is situated in the mountains between Paneas and 
Sarepta or Sarphenda. During Saladin's campaign against the Chris- 
tians in 1 1 87, Ptolemais and many other places along the coast were 
captured by his Emirs, Tebnin among the number. Sidon'surrendered 
to Saladin himself. Tyre was not captured until after a siege of three 
years. There is no historical account of the breaking of a truce by an 
attack of the Templars on Tebnin, but they did it elsewhere. Lusignan, 
king of Jerusalem, broke his oath not to fight against Saladin about this 
time and had quite a number of skirmishes around Tebnin, but it all 
seems to have been legitimate warfare. 

576. Sidon lies on the Mediterranean Sea; in earlier times it was 
one of the capitals of Phoenicia and was one of the many Christian 
cities taken in Saladin's celebrated campaign (cf. above). Now it is a 
wretched town of no account. 

577. Selbft^ttMtt^tgfter = id) mit neun^e^n artbern Sempeifyerrert, 
fo ba$ id) felbfi ber Jttmtlgigfte toar. To denote the number of persons 
in one's company, instead of using the full cardinal number, the pronoun 
felbft is placed before the ordinal. Hence the now nearly obsolete com- 
pounds felbartber (er felbft ber cmbere [ber gtoeite]), fetbbritte (er felbft 
ber britte), etc. Cf. also the Greek. The cardinal is not common in 



236 NOTES. 

this construction, but Lessing has fetu fiingiger (Emilia Galotti, III, i). 

578. 2?om ©afabilt. But compare line 585, where the article is 
omitted. It may be used or omitted before a well-known proper name. 

583. ©r gatt^ atteht. The friar is humble throughout and uses 
2)er £>err or the polite iljr (see note to line 2). Here er takes the 
place of 2)ct §err in the line above and is not to be confounded with 
the dv often used in address. 

585-6. Notice the change of tense from the past to the historical 
present in order to denote surprise and express the action more vividly. 

593. 5UtffceI)aftett = aufbettJafyrt. This verb is now nearly obsolete 
and is seldom used of persons. 

593~4« The bitter sarcasm in these words shows that the Templar 
considered it the " Irony of Fate " that he was spared to rescue a 
Jewess from burning and escort inquisitive pilgrims to Mt. Sinai. He 
is not ashamed of saving the Jewess, as some interpret this passage, 
any more than he would be ashamed of saving a dog, but he considers 
it unworthy a valorous and heroic young man desirous of winning fame 
and honor. 

595-6. Sinai, that is, in Arabia Petraea, the real Horeb, between 
the Gulf of Suez and Akabah. Sinai is the name of the desert in which 
the mountain lies. This is then what caused his absence from the city, 
and as it is far distant from Jerusalem it must have taken a long time. 
Contrary to present usage, Lessing, like Herder, omits the article with 
the names of mountains. 

607-8. ®r fyattt burtf) ben §erw Gtin 23rteftf)ett gent fcefteflt. 

These words express the wish of the Patriarch, He would have liked to 
send, etc. The friar does not wish to emphasize the reality of his 
statement, but modestly expresses his opinion. We should expect 
future time, but he is sounding the Templar, and we can supply : er 
fagte, er fyatte gem eitten SBrief burd) @ie beftelft, toenu ©ie ba$u krett 
itmretu 

611-12. <Sagt bet ^atnattf)* The fidelity of the friar is seen in 
this refrain; for he delivers his message literally as his superior had 
enjoined upon him, but at the same time wishes his bearer to under- 
stand that he is not responsible for the moral right or wrong of the 
opinions advanced. They are not his. Cf. Minna von Barnhelm 3, 2, 
where Just waives all responsibility in the same way. 



ACT I. SCENE 5. 237 

615-6. Cf. I Cor. ix, 25; 2 Tim. iv, 8; 1 Pet. v, 4; Jas. i, 12; Rev. 
ii, 10, for the special crown offered to the faithful. 

618. -Jftettt QttV seems to be an imitation of the French polite 
monsieur used in addressing strangers. 

619. On account of the following cutd), Diintzer suggests changing 
2)erm biefe $rorte §it uerbiertert into Urtb biefe, etc. 

622. ©td) fiefcljett — ftd) umfefyert, fefyenb ftd) umtfuirt. Cf. also: 
2)ctj3 id) mid) in Siert rjefefjen tooEte, and 3n btefer §i£e in Stalien 
fjentm reifen, urn fid) 311 Befefjen, all from Lessing. 

625. Historically true. Saladin worked zealously on the fortifica- 
tions of Jerusalem after he had captured it. 

628. $>en ©treitertt (&Qtte§ = ben ^reu^fa^rem. The expression 
accords with the mediaeval idea that every crusade was a Holy War and 
the crusaders the warriors of God himself. 

632. $ijttig $f)ilt$)$K That is, Philip Augustus II, of France, 
who undertook in 1191 a crusade with Richard the Lionhearted of 
England. But he had already started home in August of 1191 on 
account of dissensions with Richard. After his departure Richard 
concluded a truce of a little more than three years with Saladin. Why 
Lessing mentions Philip here and not Richard is puzzling; for the 
friendship existing between Richard and Saladin hardly seems a justifi- 
able reason for this anachronism. However, see note to line 677^ 

641. ($3 toijfltjj toieber lo3<jd)t, colloquial expression for im gall 
ber $rieg uolltg ttneber cm§brid)t. For the attack of the Templars on 
Tebnin was only an isolated case and not a general, well-organized 
outbreak of hostilities. 

647. The Templars' attack on Tebnin was a breach of the truce. 

654-5. This contradicts the Patriarch's assertion (lines 621-2) that 
the Templar was free. He considers himself simply a prisoner on 
parole. 

659. $erii&eltt = fiir iibet aufneljmert, to take amiss. The friar 
has an unpleasant duty to perform, and is fearful that the Templar will 
fall in with the Patriarch's evil propositions. Hence his apparent 
relief when he finds him honorable. 

661. $Iu3gattent, spy out. This is a colloquialism, as well also as 
2)en ©amti§ mad)ert and 2)ct§ ©tiicf magert below. 

663. Stetfen = fcerborgen feiru For 3)ie ungef)euren ^urnmen cf. 



238 NOTES. 

lines 403-4, the greater treasury in the care of his father, whom history 
calls an excellent manager. The fortress on Lebanon is Lessing's in- 
vention. 

671. 2>ett ©arauS tfym $u matfjeit, d. h., tfjn gu toten. ®arau3 

is a substantive formed from the adverbs gar and au§ (generally masc, 
sometimes neut.) and has two principal meanings : (1) the sunrise and 
sunset bell, hence the end of night and day, then of anything; (2) the 
emptying of the cup when drinking one's health; cf. Eng. * carouse ' 
which comes from @Ctratt§. 

673. SWatOlttteu. This is one of the many Christian sects of the 
Orient. They probably received their name from the abbot John 
Maro ( ?) who lived in the 8th century ( ?) ; they dwelt on Lebanon 
not far from Byblos. But this is all conjecture, as nothing certain is 
known. They partook of the Lord's Supper in both forms, allowed the 
inferior priests to marry, were monothelites till they united with the 
Roman Catholic Church in the 12th century; but they did not conform 
entirely to its regulations. As they lived on Lebanon, they would 
therefore know the way. Saladin had founded a cloister there and 
allowed the Maronites bells. 

677-9. As above stated, Philip Augustus was on his way to France 
and Richard the Lionhearted was still in Palestine. It has been sug- 
gested that the poet's reason for exchanging these two kings was on 
account of the natures of the two men. Philip was not only cunning 
and secret, but of a shrewd and ignoble mind; nay, he did not even 
shrink from great crimes, if for his advantage, while Richard was frank 
and open-hearted. It may be objected that Richard often did wrong, 
but yet he did not descend to low cunning like Philip. 

678. Ptolema'is was a strong fortress on the boundary of Palestine, 
also called St. Jean d'Acre and Accho (?). 

684. &ott Uttb bet Dtben . «. ♦ The priests frequently suffocated 
every human impulse and moral obligation for the honor of " God and 
the Order " as they claimed, when anything was to be gained by it. 
See lines 686-7 f° r a P r °°f of their sense of moral obligation. In 
striking contrast to this is the simple, straightforward nature of the 
friar. 

691-2. Specious sophistry, as the Templar's answer shows. The 
malicious casuistry of lines 695-7 still further brings out the repugnant 



ACT I. SCENE 6. 239 

side of the Patriarch's character and is only too true a copy of the cor- 
ruption that had crept into the Church. 

697. UnfertttUtfen. In the casuistry of the Patriarch the pardon- 
ing was done for the sake of Saladin's brother and not for the sake of 
the Templar. 

698. ttub ha tJCrlautett niotte, and since they pretend (in the 
stories in circulation about your pardon). 

700-701. This appears to be the first intimation to the Templar of 
the real reason of his pardon. Cf. line 583!?. 

704-710. External resemblance, according to the Templar, should 
imply an internal one; that is, like features like character. This does 
not follow, but yet he hopes it may in his case. Nature is true in all 
its works, for perfect harmony reigns in everything. 

ACT I. SCENE 6. 

716-17. $>otf) tttufj ttf) tttem $afet nut ttmgen = Fr. hasarder, 

risquer le paquet = e§ Ctltf gut GHucf toageiU Cf. Lessing's French 
translation of his Laokoon : risquons done le paquet, to risk anything, 
to engage in a doubtful cause. 

718-19. The proverb quoted is unknown to the German, though 
there are many similar ones; for monks and women were the butt of 
popular jokes. Seiber ftnb be8 Xeufets &l'o6en, barin er fcingt, iwaS 
auffi^t. ©in alteS 2$eib Ijeigt jpricfjtoortlid) ein 2?ote bee %m\t\%. 
The Devil is represented with claws, which he uses to get men in his 
power. In the first sketch Lessing calls woman the Devil's left claw, so 
the monk would be the right, referring to the Patriarch's proposals. 
Prejudice against the Jews is expressed throughout the scene. 

736. Siita = Arabic form for China. Cf. s 2(pfetfttte f ' China apple ' 
or ' orange.' 

748-9. 2$te ftf)ttctt em 2mgettbttcf tJoriiber ift ? The moment of 

generous feeling in Nathan would soon be over; for the Templar can- 
not believe that any Jew could be liberal. 

753-. 2futf) tmr towrb T 3 \>ov (now on) ber SSicge ttttfjt gefuttgett, 

etc. This refers to the custom of singing cradle songs predicting their 
future fate to children. Cf. lines 3845-3847. 

756. Urn ba ein Subeumtibrfjen 5U er^tefjeiu Cf. also the answer of 



240 NOTES. 

the Templar. It is hard to reconcile the statement here with Act IV, 
Scene 7. The emperor Frederick Barbarossa lost his life on June 10, 1 190, 
so that Daja could have been only two years with Nathan when our piece 
opens in 1 192. We know that Recha was then eighteen years old, and 
could not have been brought up by Daja. Cf. Introduction, p. XXXIV. 
A similar scene occurs in Minna von Barnhelm, Act I, Scene 12, where 
Just proposes to tell Werner's tale. 

757. fiued)t = $rteg8fned)t or 3toter§fned)t, cavalryman. 

761. (Srrfaufeit, coarse expression, to be ascribed to the vexation of 
the Templar. (Srtrinfett is the usual word. 

769. $nm JRatfel toon tnir felbfi nttr tt>irb + His (to himself) 

enigmatical conduct puzzles him when he thinks that he, a Christian, 
should rescue a Jewess. Becomes an enigma of myself to myself. 

776-7. 2lutf) lafyt ten aSater nttr fcom £alfe, Cf. also eutem 

batnit uom £>alfe b.'eiben. Don't bother me with the father. 

778. @ht plumper Stfjttwl). Proverbially the Swabians are called 
bumm unb eljrlid), the Hessians blirtb and the Pommeranians plump. 
But here the epithet „plump" is applied to the Swabians. Daja calls 
him a German bear (1. 786). He half confesses that the maiden's 
image was and still is in his soul. It could not, how r ever, have been 
anything but a passing impression, for it was not until his visit that his 
passion was aroused. Daja appears about to confess Recha's origin 
when he abruptly leaves. 

786. 2>U beutfrfjer S5tir denotes the bluntness of the German 
character which did not yield so early and readily to the refining in- 
fluence of the Roman and Romanizing civilization as the other nations. 

ACT II. SCENE 1. 

788. $80 btft h\X ? Cares of state will account for Saladin's dis- 
traction. The outbreak of the war and his financial distress draw his 
attention from the game, so that Sittah has to remind him of his 
mistakes. 

789. $ur mtd) UUb faUttt* For me a?td scarcely that. He is 
playing scarcely well enough for Sittah, who modestly assumes that she 
is a poor player. 

791. Uubebetft = mtgebecft So 5iel) T id) in tit &abtU They 



ACT II. SCENE I. 241 

generally say now Me ©abet gebert. It means to fork that is, to 
threaten two pieces at once with one piece, so that one of the 
threatened pieces must be lost. 

793- 3>rf) fe^C &0t f 1 cover, or I interpose. 

8oo. $)(*£ ttwrft bu ttttfjt tJCrmuteit ? A rare construction, for the 
infinitive seldom depends on fettt. Gothic and O. H. German furnish 
no examples and Grimm finds but one case in Mid. H. German. In 
Greg, we find : si war en viscken, 774. In the transition period we find 
many examples and the inifinitive seems to have developed out of a 
present participle. It is like our progressive form (you were not ex- 
pecting that, were you ?) 

804-5. 2)letne taufettb ®Utat\ The possessive pronoun shows 
that that was the usual stake. A dinar is an Arabian coin worth about 
four dollars; the naserin is a silver coin worth about one half cent, first 
coined by the Calif Naser or Xasr. 

812. $)eit (5a^ r the stake. 

821. 9lfcfd)ttd) f discover check. It is a move which leaves the ad- 
versary's king exposed to check from some other piece and at the same 
time attacks a piece with the moving piece, here the queen. They now 
usually say ^bgng§ftfjad). The mention of a queen is here an anachro- 
nism, as she was not introduced into the play till 1525. 

826. $(0^ Ittit bent <5tehte ? would seem to imply that Saladin 
was not fortunate with his wives, but history tells us nothing of this. 

828-30. This may refer to the fact that Saladin had frequently 
spared Sittah's queen, but probably refers to his treatment of princesses. 
When the sister of the defeated Saleh, son of Nureddin, appeared be- 
fore Saladin (1 175), he returned her her fortress and loaded her with 
gifts. The mother of the defeated Sultan Massud was treated with the 
greatest distinction, though her son's domains were not restored to 
him. Sybilla, wife of Guy de Lusignan, king of Jerusalem, and Maria, 
wife of Prince Balian II, were royally treated by Saladin. 

839. $te (^fatten Steme, A passage of the Alcoran (Sure 5) 
which forbade wine, gaming and images (figures of men and animals) 
was interpreted as referring to chessmen. A sect of Muhammedans, 
the Sonnites, therefore only played with smooth pieces (glatte ^tetne). 
Lessing found this in the Preliminary Discourse to the Koran by 
George Sale (1734). Cf. the footnote to Boxberger's Edition, 1. 841. 



242 NOTES. 

Others, especially Persians, did not follow this rule and used carved 
pieces. Lessing assumes that all priests use the smooth pieces and 
supposes that Saladin was usually pleased to play with smooth pieces 
whenever he played with a priest, in which case he did not have the 
carved pieces to make him more attentive. However, some believe 
that Saladin distrusted the Imam of using the smooth pieces in order 
to get the advantage over him. But Buchheim well observes that 
Saladin was a strict Mussulman and would never have played with 
carved pieces. It is the enlightened Saladin of the drama who com- 
plains of the smooth pieces suitable to an Imam. 

841. $matt. Most editions change this form to 3mattt, which is 
the prevalent and more correct spelling, but Boxberger (ibid.) shows 
that the form 3tttCttt was more common among Occidental scholars in 
Lessing's time. 

842. SSctlttft tiritf SBotttMttb is a German proverb: Loss seeks an 
excuse. 

849. 3etffrettttttg* She here returns to the cause of Saladin's 
distraction and care, which naturally makes the sister anxious. Qtx* 
(treiiung (^erftreitt) could hardly be used in the sense of diversion, 
amusement, for Sittah would not be likely to be diverted when her 
brother is anxious and troubled. Her brother's anxiety is enough to 
make her anxious. 

851. ©teriger = etfriger, more zealously. 

852. 2o3gel)t, cf. 1. 641. 

854. ©tittcftattb = SBaffenfiiftftattb. Lessing used the shorter form 
in several instances. ©ttffeftcmb instead of ©tttlftanb is required by 
the meter. Cf. 1. 573 about the breaking of the truce. 

857. Oiit^atb^ S3tltber t History knows nothing of this; it does 
tell us of a proposed marriage of Saladin's brother Melek el Adel with 
Richard's sister Joan, widow of king William of Sicily, whom she had 
accompanied to the East. Lessing enlarged this and proposed a 
double marriage. 

858-9. History often mentions this mutual admiration of these two 
great men. 

870. 9lfiergfaU&ett* Sittah does not make any distinction between 
^Cfcergiaubett (superstition) and ©Icmbett (belief, creed). 

28ir$t =■ tX)iirgt r as it is derived from 2&UT3 (Eng. wort), spice. 



ACT II. SCENE 2. 243 

875 ff. Virtue is again elevated above belief (creed), rrorality above 
religious confession. Christ's name, not his virtues, is to be propagated 
until it swallows all other names, in that it makes the whole world 
Christian in name only. The Christians do not wish any longer to hear 
of good men, but only of good Christians. Sittah, forgets how the 
Muhammedans propagated their faith with fire and sword. 

882. The Christians generally required the conversion of the 
heathen before intermarriage. 

885-6. Sittah asserts that love was not brought into the world by 
Christians and was not peculiar to them. God created man and woman 
(Gen. ii, 23 ff.) and implanted this feeling (of conjugal love) in their 
breast. 

891. Saladin's remarks about the Templars are strictly true. From 
the smallest beginnings they rose to the greatest power and played an 
important part in the history of the world. But the warlike and secular 
spirit grew much more rapidly than the religious, and the monkish part 
of their character was only seen when they wished to cloak their 
actions. 

892. 5(CC(X = Ptolemai's, lying on the Syrian coast; it played an 
important part during the Crusades. Saladin's brother was to receive 
Palestine and other territories and Joan Acca as dowry. 

897. 2{ttern, cf. 1. 235 note. 

903. $rrte is used in the sense of irre madjert, ftorert, fcerttnrrert. 

906. Cf. lines 666 ff. As already mentioned Saladin's father was 
long ago dead; but Lessing was never a martyr to chronology. 

910. Lessing's own experiences are speaking here. For no one 
cared less for money than he and no one had more need of it at times. 

ACT II. SCENE 2. 

915. Al-Hafi is under the impression that the tribute from Egypt 
has arrived and that he has been summoned to receive it. 

917- fttin tiieX = Ijotfjft bid. 

921. $a3 ift fiir tva§ (etum£) norf) ttieutger al$ ntdjtS, That is 

for something still less than nothing; that is, instead of receiving I am 
to pay out. 

926 ($0tmt r 3 Cud) mtf fetter erft ! Sittah had not only not taken 



244 NOTES. 

the "winnings," but had even been paying the household expenses of 
Saladin, as we shall soon see. Hence she had begrudged herself the 
money. 

927. @UCt. The uninfected predicate forms meitt, beitl, llttfer, 
euer, are older than the inflected meitter, meitte, meine§, etc., and assert 
ownership pure and simple. 

929-30. Sittah is trying to prevent her brother from finding out her 
secret that the money is out and that she has been paying all expenses 
for some time. So she wants Al-Hafi to say that he will pay her the 
stakes. His nun jet is his reply, but he adds something that may betray 
all. 

941-2. Cf. the proverb „ft)ie gerootmert, fo ^erronnen." Sittah had 
not really won the game, as Saladin was not yet check-mated, nor was 
the game actually lost, for Saladin still had chances of winning; she 
was not to get the stakes as there was no money to pay them, so the 
proverb " easy come, easy go " applied very well. 

947. 3>d) fyfitte x\)v §trtt tt>oI)l lie&er felfcft = 3d) Wave Hefeer felbft 
fo !(ug mie fie. 

953. ®tC SDlUttttttCtet, that is, the further concealment of financial 
straits. For him the farce (9Jhurtmerei) was over. 

958. SSeftfjetbett = (Sinfefyen l}ctbeti, einftd)t§Do{(, be prudent and 

disclose nothing. 

962. HBerbtttett, in the sense of begging one not to do anything. 
965. $)ir ttirfjt ttdfyer trcten = btr nicfyt tnefyr 3U £er$en ge^en. 
970 1. ©0 fittb bie Soften fte^ctt geBUeben, the items {of the 

account) remain (unpaid) ; that is, I shall claim all arrears when the 
treasury is full. 

976. 2tu£tjett)0rfett, that is, the appanage of princes and princesses. 
Marin, II, 326, relates the following scene at Saladin's death : " He 
had alms distributed to all poor people, even to Christians. As he 
had given during his whole life and never saved anything for himself, 
they were obliged to sell his jewels and furniture. One of his sisters 
(Sittalscham or Sillah-Abscham, our Sittah), charged with this charity, 
added her own effects to make the alms more abundant." This prob- 
ably gave Lessing the idea of the present scene. 

989-991. Among Lessing's material to the Nathan is found the 
following notice : " Saladin never had more than one garment, never 



ACT II. SCENE 2. 245 

more than one horse in his stable. In the midst of riches and super- 
abundance he enjoyed complete poverty. After his death they found 
in Saladin's treasury no more than a ducat and forty Naserins." Marin 
says that Saladin on his death-bed ordered his standard bearer to place 
the garment in which he was to be buried upon a lance and bear it 
before the people and say that that was all that the conqueror of the 
East had gained by his conquests. He left neither house, nor garden, 
nor estate, nor other property. His saying in Lessing's drama : (gin 
Jfteib, ein ^djtnert, eiit $ferb — nnb eittett ©ott remains to this day in 
the Thuringian proverb : ein 9?0(f unb ein ©Ott. 

1002. $&B?ed)ett, to pinch one's self, to curtail expenses. ($?tu= 

$tel)ett = einfcfjrcmfen, retrench. 

1005. Qod) &a§ iann ba$ tttatfjett? As Saladin had always lived in 
the plainest, simplest manner possible, curtailment, retrenchment, spar- 
ing would not amount to much. 

1007. 5l&3ttbitt(jett = ttbjllljattbefn, secure some abatement in his 
duty to his God. But already his God had been satisfied with his heart, 
and he could give him no less. 

1012. (&pitfyett. Death by impaling is still a common punishment 
in the Orient and is considered both more cruel and more ignominious 
than strangling. 

1013. broffeftt = erbroffettt. This punishment was that of persons 
of rank. 2Utf Ufterfdjug . . . tudr T ergrtffen toorbett, If I were 

caught with a surplus by you. Saladin's punishment for having a 
surplus was greater, according to Al-HafVs view, than for embezzle- 
ment. 

1014. tttttetfdjteif, embezzlement. When Saladin's treasurers de- 
frauded him they lost their places, but received no other punishment. 
For greed of money seemed to the sultan to be as universal as it is 
sordid. Thus Al-Hafi would have risked nothing by embezzlement. 

1017. 23et ntemanb anbertt— bei niemanb anberm, or bet niemanb 
embers, for Bei fetnem anbern. 

1020-21. 5(ltf bent Xvodtttn feitt. Stranded, aground are the 
corresponding English nautical expressions. To be dead broke, to be 
strapped (slang) renders the German idea. For the German is slangy 
and sounds strange in the mouth of Sittah. But we must remember 



246 NOTES. 

that Lessing used the expressive language of his day and ennobled it 
by his approval. 

1023. SftHttm tWf = mmm ©eft) dltf, borrow money on security. 
933te &U faitttfi . . , fcerftmtf). When necessary he must promise the 
highest interest. 

1024. SSorgcn = 3)arle^n nefymen; letfjen == S)arlel)n gebert, that 

is, borrow money, loan money. But the Germans are not so careful as 
we in the use of these words. Lessing uses them correctly here, but 
in 1. 1056 uorgett stands for (eifyert. 

1032. Al-Hafi's astonishment is quite natural, because he knows 
that Sittah refers to Nathan and he does not wish to have him robbed. 
His awkward efforts to save his friend are amusing. 

1035. 3Rtdj beitft = id) ertnnere mid). Lessing found this im- 
personal construction in Logau and stamped it with his approval. 
Generally the dative is employed with bertfen in the sense of ftdj eritt* 

Hern. 
1037. Sent ($ott — ber ©ott ber 3uben, ber ©ott feirter $ftter, 

unless the pronoun is used for the sake of the meter. For Sittah knew 
of Nathan's enlightened character. Cf. line 1 1 23 and Buchheim's note 
to this passage. 

1040-41. To the Dervish living in voluntary poverty riches was the 
smallest and wisdom the greatest possession, and we do not question 
his wisdom; for riches have wings and wisdom remains forever with 
its possessor. 

1048. Notice the past tenses. Once it was true, now it is not. 

1050. $te gait^c Qtabt erftfjattt (bacon), 2£a§, etc. The particle 

battort is necessary to make a rounded sentence, but the exigencies of 
the verse excluded it here. 

1055. Al-Hafi had already sounded Nathan and knows that it 
would be useless to try. Now he is only anxious to save his friend 
from a forced loan. 

1062-3. @tr tVtify £1t lefiett = il sait vivre, is well-bred, has good 
manners. 

1067. %V0fy 8a(abttt. Cf. note to line 411. 

1068. SBetttt ftfjOtt ttid)t gatt^ fo tuel. Nathan was more circum- 
spect in his giving and did not scatter his money broadcast like Saladin. 



ACT II. SCENE 3. 247 

1069. (Sottber Slttfefyett = oljne $iitfftd)t ctuf ba% rcCtgtofc 23efenrtt= 

ttif}. Nathan had risen above the narrow bounds of his own creed and 
called every human being a brother. 

1071. Parsees or Ghebres are the members of a religious sect of 
Zoroaster. As they worship fire they are peculiarly repugnant to the 
Mussulmans as heretics. Cf. lines 451 and 1489. 

1077. Cf. Boccaccio, Giorn. X, Nov. Ill, where Mitridones desires 
to kill his rival for surpassing him in giving (also called Nathan in the 
novel). See Introduction, p. xxvi. 

1078. £of)lt UOtt ($Dtt. Every recompense from God, either as 
thanks from the receiver of the gift, or direct blessings from God for 
well-doing. 

1082. ©efeif, Mosaic law. 

1086-7. iifcent gfuff mit if)m gefpamtt; on bad terms with him. 
Cf. liber ber §attb, fiber ber 9Icf)|e{ feitt. Now they generally say simply 
mtt eirtem gefpannt feitl. The expression comes from wrestling. 

ACT II. SCENE 3. 

1 103 ff. Fancy has ever delighted in finding hidden treasures, es- 
pecially in the Orient. Josephus (Jewish Antiquities) relates that 
Solomon buried immense treasures with his father David, At one time 
Hircanus the High Priest, at another king Herod, opened the grave and 
took out large sums of money. The royal coffin was, however, so in- 
geniously concealed that it was never found. Solomon's grave was also 
said to contain immense treasures, but both only yielded up their hidden 
wealth at the magic word which was supposed to bring the treasure to 
light. 

1 104. ^eteit StCgef, In ancient times royal graves were fre- 
quently sealed for safety, and this must refer to that custom, unless it 
refers to the ingeniously hidden graves. 

1 1 15. ^etttt tt Ijattbelt* Commerce is a far more fruitful source 
of wealth than mines or hidden treasures, though Saladin was hardly of 
that opinion and he may have said it in contempt. 

1 1 16. <3aumtiet = here £afttier and the camel is probably meant, 
as it is the beast of burden in the East, 



248 NOTES. 

1118. gf) = friifjer. 

1 125. gingefttmmt mxt jeber Sdjimfyett = fur jebe ©djonljeit env 

pfcingtid). Nathan was a man of culture and refinement. 

1131-2. (Seutern 2$olU eutfKiefyeit = ben CHjaraftev feines $offe8 
t>erfeugnett\ For avarice is the great sin of the Jews, according to 
Sittah. 

1 137-8. Boccaccio also states that Saladin would not resort to 
force. 

1 142. §araitt = §arem, though §aram is considered the more 
correct, if less common, form. 

ACT II. SCENE 4. 

1 162. ©att$ tttoa§ attbre3 r etc. That is, he thinks love may move 
her breast instead of gratitude. 

1171-2. 2)a3 cut = fur attentat tft abgetfjan = 2>a8 tft em = fur 
attentat abgetfjatt. The unusual order of words is caused by the verse. 

1181. ©0 mafyt rntr, ba§ cr Surf) Ijter attest geroatjv ttrirb; 

Please do hasten away, so that he may not see you here. Cf. line 496 
for the colloquial use of macfjetV 

ACT II. SCENE 5. 

1 191. $aft fd)eu r trt) mtd) be3 ©Mtbertittg3 + ©id) ftfjeuen is 

usually followed by the preposition Dor and the dative, or by the simple 
dative, only rarely by the genitive as here. 

1 192. O^flUfye Xugettb is a favorite expression with Lessing. Cf. 
Emilia Galotti, Act II, Scene 5, where the term is applied to Odoardo, 
whose character is very similar to the Templar's. 

The three words fcfyeiten (shrink from), ftlt^en (startle, puzzle), and 
tierlegen (confuse, perplex) form a descending climax, so to speak. 
Nathan's approach was not servile, but somewhat uncertain on account 
of the rugged virtue of the Templar. 

1 196. 2)ett bratten ©attg, the manly gait, bratt means firm, 
sturdy, vigorous. 

1 198. 28o fat) id) bod) bergteitf)ett? The appearance of the Tern- 



ACT II. SCENE 5. 249 

plar recalls a faint recollection in Nathan's mind of having seen a 
similar person, which becomes more definite in Scene Seventh, and 
finally leads to the peaceful solution of the dramatic plot. The follow- 
ing dialogue shows the Jewish traits in Nathan's character : submissive 
patience, humility and perseverance. 
1202. ^er^teljt (uergieljen, not beqeiljen) is used in the sense of 

stay, that is, hasten not away till you hear my thanks. 

1207. (^tO^tttUt, say the critics, is not exactly the right word here, 
but (Sbelmut. (Sfrofjmut is a Christian, loving self-abnegation, while 
(Sbetmut is merely a generous self-mastery. The Templar in saving 
Recha did not overcome his Christian pride, for it was repugnant to 
him to think that he had rescued a Jewess. But he showed ©bettttut 
in the philanthropic exposure of his life to save a fellow-being. 

i2ioff. The Templar is applying the Patriarch's casuistry that we 
owe no one thanks who does not perform the service for our sake. Cf. 
lines 695-7. He refuses to receive thanks of the father because he did 
not do the deed for the father's sake. He debases it to a mere deed 
of a Templar's duty, and legal duty at that, when it was philanthropic. 
He descends still further when he pleads indifference to life as the 
leading motive of his action; that is mere egoism. 

1218-9. $n bte (sdjatt^e fd)(agett = auf§ @$>iet fefcett. @d)ange = 
la chance, which denotes the fortunate throw in dice, then uncertainty, 
chance. Lessing found the word in Logau. 

1219-20. The Templar is not telling the truth; he did not know 
that it was a Jewess. Cf. Act I, Scene 6 and Act IV, Scene 4. 

1221. ©tO^ Uttb abfdjeultrf). It was grand to rush to the rescue 
of a human being, but abominable to ascribe it to disgust of life and 
contempt for Jews. But the generous Nathan excuses it as modesty in 
order to escape notoriety and admiration. 

1232-3. In the first sketch Lessing wrote, — jo brautfje tt)enigftetl8 
toa8 ba% beffre an tljm iji — fetnen 9tod)tum, which explains this 
passage. 

1235. Scrrebcn = Derftdjertt, baft ettoaS ttidjt fei, ober feitt toerbe; 
t>erfd)tt)orett, solemnly renounce. 

1238. gfe^e, now ber ^t%m ( ra g)> though less correct. 

1240. Wit etttS. Cf. line 104. 



250 NOTES. 

1245. Httb \>a§ Mam Ct, etc. It seems strange that the Templar, 
at the sight of this spot, should now unnecessarily mention a deed 
which he had hitherto almost ignored, and it is thought that this spot 
recalled to him the picture of one who had become dear to him, but 
too many passages contradict that. It was rather a scornful allusion to 
his burnt cloak for which some day he might claim indemnification. 
Nathan understood how to make good use of this incident. 

1249. $f)Ut refers to $ltd f and is repeated in the next line in ben 

1252. <£)er Sro^fett Uteljr, The cloak had been exposed to all 

kinds of weather. Notice the partitive genitive. 

1256-8. Nathan's skill in winning the Templar is well shown in 
these lines. He had noticed that the Templar was weakening and 
presses his point in a masterly manner. The Templar's reply shows 
that he had gained his point. 

1262-3. ©tcMt Uttb fcerfteflt ©ltd), simulate and dissimulate. "I'll 
find the kernel out of the bitter shell, however brusk and rude you 
may be." Nathan repeats a suggestion already made to Daja, lines 

5 2 3-4. 

1268. $fot)t ifjre $ritfUtt(J* Knowing the feeling of gratitude in 
the one saved from death and the readiness of servants to enter into 
love affairs, also remembering the absence of the father you would not 
put her to the test in order not to win an easy victory. $t)Vt ^riifutttj; 
if) re is objective, test of her. 

1274. £ragen = ergeugen, produce. 

1278. W\t biefent Uttterfrffteb tft T 3 mtfjt tucit Ijer, this difference 

is unimportant. Nathan's idea is that the equality of man makes the 
differences non-essential. 

1284. 9htr ntu|f ber ®non ten Bnubbtn Ijitfifif) bertragen. Now 

usually $norrert (masc.) and $rtttbbe (fern.) ; the meaning is the same 
for both words (gnarl, excrescence on trees). People must bear and 
forbear and then all will be well. 

1285 ff. The hillock must not presumptuously pretend that it, did 
not spring from the earth. Nathan is zealous against any aristocracy 
in religion. 

1286. entfttjoffen = etttftroffen. 



ACT II. SCENE 5. 251 

1293. <Std) entftrccfjen = ftd) mtt ©ettmft con etmctg guriicf^atten, 

restrain one's self. 

1293-5. Elsewhere Lessing remarks that the Jews are the only- 
people who made a business of spreading their religion. On account 
of this religious zeal Christ had reproved them and Horace had laughed 
at them. The Christians had merely taken this zeal from Judaism and 
carried out the idea in their teachings. The Mussulmans, too, had 
spread their faith with fire and sword. 

1300. %\l il)rer ftfjttmr^eften ©eftaft In his Dramaturgy Lessing 
says that " the crusades themselves, wdiich were at bottom a political 
move of the popes, became in their execution the most inhuman perse- 
cutions of which Christian superstition was ever guilty; true religion 
had the most and bloodiest Ismenors; and does punishing individual 
persons who had robbed a mosque compare at all with the fatal rage 
which depopulated believing Europe in order to devastate unbelieving 
Asia?" 

1301. 2U3 Ijier, aU je*?t? = al8 im Orient, ate toafyrertb ber 
$reu$£uge ? That is, in Palestine, which became the scene of the 
bloodiest and almost endless religious wars during the crusades. The 
consensus of opinion seems to be that Lessing is right. They were 
uncalled for, were cruel, were the hotbed of political ambition, malice 
and treachery from a human point of view. 

1321. gfewe = gufunft. 

1325. Ultfrct s Jietf)a* As friend of Nathan in whom he has found 
a congenial spirit he takes an interest in all that interests his friend. 
No longer governed by his prejudice against the Jews, his impetuous 
nature now yields to the favorable impression that Recha had made 
upon him and his interest grows apace. 

Observe the skillful dramatist in Lessing. This inclination is to be 
intensified by delay. Nathan is here called away to prevent the con- 
versation from dragging out too long, to give an opportunity for the 
meeting of Recha and the Templar, of Saladin and Nathan, which 
develops the real plot of the drama. After this slight interruption the 
second part of the conversation between the Templar and Nathan 
seems all the fresher and more interesting; for the startling news 
brought by Daja lends it a new zest. 



252 NOTES. 

ACT II. SCENE 6. 

The fright of Daja is quite natural; for when the Sultan sent for a 
rich Jew it boded no good. Her anxiety also served as a foil to set off 
Nathan's composure, as nothing should disconcert the truly wise man. 

1337. ©eftrcttget fitter, ©eftreng was formerly an epithet of the 
nobility. Cf. English Dread sovereign ; we now say worshipful. 

1338. ©fl fcefittttmcrt (bariim), toa$, etc. Verse often requires 
the omission of particles absolutely necessary in prose. 

ACT II. SCENE 7. 

1343. No oriental prince has ever had a better reputation than 
Saladin according to the testimony of all parties. Nathan preferred 
the pure picture of report for fear that personal knowledge might 
tarnish the image he had conceived. 

1345. aBcmt attbeti? bcttt fo ift, if that is really so. 

1346. ©parmtg = @d)0ttung, which is the Mid. H. G. meaning of 
the word. 

1348-9. For he had saved Recha and become his friend, so that 
Nathan lived a second life in Recha and a third one in the Templar. 
Sflppelt, bretfarf) intensify the expression, but here there was not 
only a broader life, but also a threefold life for Nathan. 

1 35 1. At first Nathan would not lend to Saladin. The cord (©eit) 
now thrown around him changes the whole situation. 

1373. @UC? Wamc ? The old presentiment that he had seen a 
person like the Templar rises once more in Nathan's mind, and the 
Templar's answer only strengthens it. Distrust causes the Templar to 
conceal his real name (Leu von Filneck) and give the name of his 
adoption (Curd von Stauffen) . Nathan suspects that there is a mystery 
behind this and he realizes that it must be unraveled before matters go 
too far. 

1378. $au(eit. His uncle and mother were buried there, gauletl 
(rot) is a very coarse expression, but suits the Templar's blunt Swabiar 
nature. 

1386. Sttttbfdjaft = 23etatmtfdjaft. 



ACT II. SCENES 8 AND 9. 253 

1391. 28oIf (t)Mt ^tfttetf) who was Nathan's friend. See lines 
3784-3785. 38otf5 ®cmg; it was etn „braUer" @artg. Cf. line 1196. 

1395. £a3 ^eucr feute3 %$lid§. The Templar had eirtert tro^tgen 
S8Ucf (1196). Orientals have fiery eyes more often than Occidentals. 

1399. David Strauss calls attention to the fact that Filneck may be 
a reminiscence of the little castle of Filseck not far from Hohenstaufen. 

ACT II. SCENE 8. 

1405. 28a3 Salabitt mtr ttritt* Colloquialism for Don mtr mill. 
The dative is the ethical dative, or dative of interest. Some consider 
this a Gallicism in imitation of the French me veut. 

1410 ff. He cautions Daja not to betray his secret and seems to 
hint at a possible union of the Templar and Recha, which would quiet 
Daja's conscience. 

ACT II. SCENE 9. 

1428 ff. Cf. Scene 2, lines 1030-1093, where Al-Hafi did his best to 
avert danger from Nathan, but in vain. 

1433-4. Cf. line 450. Nathan knows the way from having been 
there on his commercial voyages. 

1435. < &t§ ( $&Z§§ 9 along the way. Genitive of place. 

M37- @itt yia&ttX = ein s ^Uger, as he would become a begging 
Dervish once more. 

1441. The gold purse contained about 30,000, the silver about 500 
Turkish piasters (= about one dollar apiece). Cf. Act IV, Scene 3 and 
Act V, Scene 1, where the leathern purses are in Saladin's palace. 

1443. Uttb tOCtter ift e3 tttd)t£? The Sultan appears in a different 
light to Nathan since he has become the friend of the Templar whom 
Saladin had spared. He has no fear of suffering wrong at his hands. 
Nor is it Nathan's nature to cherish childish fears. 

1444-5. 2$ie er (Jutf) toon Xag $u Sag 9lu3fyi>f)lett ttiirb bi§ auf 

bic 3el)ett? In his collection of " Proverbial Sayings " Lessing notes 
from Sebastian Frank : „(§r iff f)0l)( bt§ an Me 3 e fy en " ( saici °f one wno 
is insatiable). From this Lessing formed the present expression bt§ auf 
btc 3^n an§f)5fy(en = anSjangen, to suck out one^s marrow, to drain 
dry. 



254 NOTES. 

1446-8. The prudent Nathan's riches are compared to usually never 
empty barns (fonft me leeren @d)euern) of wise charity (ber roetfen 
SJUtbe), which the extravagance of Saladin is to drain dry until the poor 
home-mice (Me cuttten etttgebornert 2ftciu3d)ert, that is, those poor 
people whom Nathan cares for) shall starve. Cf. the ^riamel noted by 
Lessing: „ettt ©djeuertt oljtie 9ttauf3 = 2)a8 ift rotber bte natfirUd) 2trt." 

1456. @bCtt ba3 = ebert nad)bem ba$. 3)aJ3 in German is often 
used for a compound conjunction like the French que. 

1459- SSerforen glaubte, fdjon (oerloren) gegeben tjatte. The 

omission of cerloreit is more than poetic license. 

1466. ®et JHorfje (pr. as a German word), now called £I)urm. It 
is the English rook (castle at chess), Persian rokh, said to have meant 
warrior, hero. With the ancient Germans the piece represented an 
elephant, with the Persians it was a camel mounted with archers. It 
took its name from the figure it represented. 

1470. $n Uhtmptn werfen, vulgar expression for <mf (fiber) ben 

§aufett roerfett, to upset everything. 

1474. SetttC taitbC (f)0l)fe) SWttft, From the common expression: 
2)a$ ift leine taube Wuft roertl) Lessing formed : (gg gait feittc taube 
yiu§ (feme Slcittiglcit). The stakes were a thousand dinare. Cf. 
lines 804-5. 

1489. Uttter tttehtett ©fjefcew, Cf. lines 450, 1071. Al-Hafi had 
once been with them, hence he calls them mettte ©fyeber. 

1497. s ^5(acferei f worry and turmoil, for placfett is intensified 
ptagen. 

1498. $>elf, or Qaltf is the Arabic for the German $ittef (smock) 
of a Dervish. Here it means a tattered garment such as the begging 
Dervishes wore. 

1506. fi It all ttttb $(lU is a rhyming formula taken from fireworks 
(sudden explosion and fall), meaning suddenly. 

$l)ttt fef&ft leben = ftd) felbft teben. In earlier times iljm, il)r, 
ifynert were used as reflexives, but Mod. H. G. demands fid). The de- 
cision to live to one's self must be an inner prompting of the heart and 
not a deliberate act of the reason. 

1508-9. 2M md|l ! ttue r 3 (Surf) 99Bu^( biittft The Dervish sees 
the inconsistency of saying farewell (that is, live well, be well, be pros- 



ACT III. SCENE I. 255 

perous) to one who would not fare well according to his idea, and 
adds : as it seems well to you. 

1 5 13. S3iirgen usually has the preposition fur; fiir meine Sftedjtumg 
Mrgt — 31jr ober ©ittftlj. 

1514. $ie (=3>afur) biirgetd). 28ilber = wtge&unbener -ftatur* 

menjd). The free, unrestrained life of a Dervish who worshipped 
nature was his ideal life. 

15 15. Critics trace this celebrated saying that the beggar is the only 
true king to the Persian poet Saadi, but the idea is too universal to be 
property of any one author. 

ACT III. SCENE 1. 

1519. %lotf) fo hath = mbgUd)ft Balb, augenbftcfftdj. Imitated 
from the negative nod) tttdjt fo bctlb. 

1535. Hitherto Recha has had but one wish, eutetl 2£nnfcf) alter 
25itnfd)e (to see and speak with the Templar), which dilates her heart, 
and she fears that no other equally pleasant wish will come to take its 
place when that is satisfied. 

1538 ff. Daja's desire to reveal Recha's birth to her leads her to 
enigmatical speeches which Recha interprets in her own way. 

1546. 5H3 bic td), etc. The relative sentence preceding the ante- 
cedent gives a fine effect to the whole clause. Klopstock and Goethe 
used the same device. 

1547. 'BptVXt btrf) = ftrtiltbe bid). It is not an elegant expression, 
belonging rather to daily life. 

1548. Cf. Is. lv, 8. Daja sees the hand of Providence at work, but 
is forced to speak in riddles. 

1556. "Too scientific for a girl," observed Ramler. But Recha is 
Nathan's child and has been instructed in his philosophy, and is here 
merely repeating her well-learned lesson. It is true Lessing is preach- 
ing his own gospel through her, still that does not change the fact that 
Recha had been well instructed in regard to God. 

1564. ^Ctt (Battmi bet Sermmft, that is, the religion of reason. 
(£aat would be better than ©amen. Nathan had not educated Recha 
in any revealed religion, but in the pure religion of reason; hence she 
would not listen to the weeds (Unfraut) of other lands. 



256 NOTES. 

1571-4. According to Recha the Christian faith took away the 
power to act and the clearness of consciousness (cf. lines 360-4). 

1577- s Jhtr frfjlcigt cr mix utd)t ^u = 9lux tft er mix tudjt jutrag* 
lid), pafjt nidjt in tncinem SSefen. 

1579-80. According to Nodnagel, Lessing is skillfully preparing the 
way for Recha's apparent coldness toward the Templar, which would 
otherwise appear strange to us. 

1587. Deeds, not faith, interest Recha. For when faith is mere 
imagination (ftJ&fyttett) about God it can produce no real heroism. Cf. 

Nathan's lesson: „23egreifft bu after, 2Bte iuet anbad)ttg fcfytnarmen 
letdjter af$ ®ut fyartbeftt ijr?" Line 360 ff. 

1589-92. Religion does not depend upon any faith (confession), 
it is resignation to God. Schiller sees in these words the whole spirit- 
ual trend of the Nathan. It is the Age of Enlightenment speaking 
through Lessing. 

1600. D6 and) er (jo beitft fate bu), for then he would also wish to 
convert her; or whether he thinks as my father, for then he will be 
more congenial to me. 

1601. The indefinite e$ ($0tmnt e8 ttid)t an Utlfrc Satire?) denotes 
the uncertainty in the speaker's mind as to who was coming. This 
indefinite use of e$ is quite common in German and can generally be 
translated by the indefinite some, some one, somebody. 

ACT III. SCENE 2. 

1604. Uttb bod) (jaumte id) t»ergeben§ fo tange). 

1608. JBaffereimer* The Templar had considered himself the 
mere mechanical instrument of rescue with which his free will had 
nothing to do, and Recha is now repaying him for his bitter words to 
Daja. Her bitterness is seen in ^eratt^fdjmtjV which represents mere 
blind chance at work in a haphazard way. while Recha thinks Provi- 
dence orders all things. 

1610. 3)Uv mtf)t3, bit ttttf)t3, an idiomatic expression, just so, with 
perfect indifference. 

161 7. §etau£jd)ttUJ?. Certainly a vigorous term, which sounds 
strangely in Recha's mouth, but probably the strong language of the 



ACT III. SCENE 2. 257 

Templar justifies its use by her. It is, however, not so vulgar as some 
would make it, for good poets often use it even now. 

1618-ig. Probably the Templar had boasted that in the Occident 
wine urged men to more foolish deeds than the rescue of a Jewess, so 
that wine may have prompted him and not his free will. The Mussul- 
mans were prohibited the use of wine and the Jews were restricted in 
its use. 

1619-20. Compare the Templar's cold remarks to Nathan, lines 
1213-15: „(§:$ ift ber ^empetfyerren s .]3ftid)t, bem (Erften, bem SBeften 
oei^utyringen, beffen 9?ot fie fefyem" The too mechanical view of the 
Templar receives its merited rebuke from Recha, who puts his every 
folly (Jebe £I)0rl)eit, 1. 1625) in its true light. 

1624. ^trf) libel flttlief?, gave you short replies, treated you curtly, 
snubbed you. 

1630. £iefe fletttClt 3tad)eftU The sarcastic remarks with which 
the Templar had sought to escape thanks for his good deed. 

1633-4. It i s n °t such an uncommon trait to be chary of one' 'j grief 
and prodigal with one's life. Grief is sacred, while life belongs in a 
sense to others, which scenes of great danger prove beyond doubt. 
Intimate friends have a certain right to share one another's grief, but 
the Templar was alone in Jerusalem and was moreover melancholy. 
Compare his reason given to the friar: „$3erm id) mm metandjolifd) 
gem mtd) fiil)(te?" line 552. It shows the sympathetic nature of 
Recha, however, to be moved at his grief, and she abandons her sar- 
castic tone. 

1640. 3war t # , Derftetft , . . ber ©djretf (ben 9ttenftf)en, nrie 

Ghtd), ai§ i\)V til £obe3gefaf)r fdjUJe&tet), Sight and hearing were so 
absorbed in Recha that speech fails him. 

1641. Notice the double accusative after ftnbert (the direct object 
($ltd) and the factitive accusative ben namfidjen). Lessing also uses 
the verb gtcutBen (lines 2034-35) in the same way. 

$>e£gfcttf)ett f the same, that is ^pailfe, as above, line 1640. 

1648. 5(ttf ©ttt(ri, where he had accompanied pilgrims. Cf. line 

595- 

1652. WU (er Me 3el)n ©ebote Don if)m empfing). 

1653. There was no superstition in Recha, she was too well edu- 



258 NOTES. 

cated by Nathan and knew that God was omnipresent. She had no 
idle curiosity to seek the place where Moses may have stood, that was 
indifferent to her. 

1656-8. Some refer this question to the remark of Till Eulenspiegel 
that he always wept when descending, for he knew that another moun- 
tain would soon come, but laughed when ascending, because he would 
soon be descending into the next valley. Others refer it to a passage 
in Breuning von Buchenbach's Orientalische Reysz (Strassburg, 1 61 2), 
who, after describing how he had made the ascent of Mt. Sinai on a 
side where there were steps, states that he descended on a side where 
there were no steps, for which reason the descent was the more difficult 
and troublesome. 

This naive and rather childish question seems very odd when coming 
from Recha; for we expect from her only noble thoughts and great 
intelligence. Commentators differ as to the exact significance of the 
question. During the crusades the air was full of just such absurd 
superstitions, and Lessing may have wished to ridicule them. But why 
put the words in Recha's mouth and not in Daja's, where they would be 
appropriate? Recha had just rebuked the Templar for his rude be- 
havior, and may now wish to give a lighter turn to the conversation; 
possibly there was also just a shade of mischief in her question. In 
line 1600 she says: „mir liegt bctrcm urtenbfid), ob cmd) er (fo benft 
tt)ie bit), and here she is testing the Templar to see whether he is 
superstitious like Daja. In his turn he recognizes in Recha a congenial 
soul, hence his reference to Nathan's words: „$emtt fie MIX erft !" 
She is not a fanatic, and therefore worthy of his esteem, friendship, nay 
even his love. She has solved her doubts also, but the angel theory 
and her father's thorough cure have completely removed every senti- 
ment of love in her breast. 

1663. 9ftetner Stnfalt, genitive after ladjellt, which, in higher 
diction, governs this case. Recha was conscious of the absurdity of her 
question, but it was only by such a question that she could discover 
whether the Templar was bigoted or one of nature's noblemen. 

1672. SDtir fagt ♦ ♦ ♦ tierfd)tt)eigt ? Recha's tone, her remarks about 
her question, her silence had clearly shown the Templar that she con- 
sidered such superstitions only follies. For there were higher questions 



ACT III. SCENES 3 AND 4. 259 

to discuss and greater problems to solve which would ennoble man and 
not degrade him to a mere seeker after wonders. 

1683. They had not made any such appointment. He only wishes 
to leave Recha because he shows his love too plainly, as Daja observes 
after his departure. 

1687. QaftU = dlod) ba]U, moreover. 

ACT III. SCENE 3, 

1694. 2$a3 fiJmtttt il)m an ? This verb usually requires the ac- 
cusative, but cf. Schiller, Jungfrau von Orleans : „9Jftr fommt etrt etgen 
©ranen an bet btefem Segen." It is equivalent to t)on ©utem ober 
SBofem befallen toerben. 

1708-9. Daja firmly believes that Recha's calmness rests upon the 
belief that the Templar's distraction and anxiety assure her of his 
passion for her, but Recha herself is quite unconscious of its cause. 

1718. That would mar Daja's plans, as she hopes to save Recha to 
the Church and get back to Europe with her. 

ACT III. SCENE 4. 

1734. It must be remembered that Nathan was conversing with the 
Templar and had to be called by Daja. Then the Dervish detained 
him a while. 

1735. It was the sister who set the trap to catch Nathan, hence 
the reproachful tone in Scfjttefter ! <Sd)trjefter! 

1739-42. „gaHen legen," „anf ©fatteiS fiifjven," „@efb ftjdjen" are 
all idiomatic phrases of common life; set traps, lead one on the ice, bait 
the hook for money. 

1743. 5ft)Baitgen is a very unusual word taken by Lessing from the 
colloquial language. In his remarks on Adelung's Diet, he says : 

^bbangen, bnvd) 25angemad)en etnem etroa3 abliften, abpreffen. 3d) 
toeift feine gebrncfte ^Cntoritat; aber id) fyabe fagen fyoren: (§r f)at mtr 
tnein §au3 mefyr abgebangt at§ gelanft Extort by intimidation. 

1745. ®cr ^letttigfeitCtt fkhtfte. That is, money. So thought 
Lessing, and the trait repeats itself in all his great characters. Cf. 
Major von Tellheim, Nathan, Saladin, Werner, the Dervish, etc. 



260 NOTES. 

1756. Sid) aU)§rcb T t = ftd) auerebet = se excusare, how he gets out 
of the trap set for him. 

1759-60. £te 9Ze^c &or&et fid) ttiinbet = an ben 9?e£en uorbei ftdf) 
fDinbet. When no other preposition accompanies the noun, Dorbei 
governs the accusative and stands after the noun. 

1774. SBefdjimeit = befdjotugen. The former is the historically 
correct form, but befd)OItigen, formed after the analogy of other verbs 
in -g, has superseded it. 

1779- 3^) tfltt$e, tt)ie id) faitlt. He thinks of the awkward bear 
dancing to the public, and would prefer to have it worse rather than 
better. 

1783-5. History confirms Sittah; for Saladin's prudence and fore- 
sight contributed as much as his sword to his success. 

1786-7. There seems to be no definite source for this fable-like 
illustration. Lessing's fable (gabelrt II, 7) of the Lion and the Ass 
does not apply well to the passage, nor that of the Lion and the Jackal. 
It hardly needs any source. It is correct in form and true in its nature 
and needs no authority to give it currency. 

1794. 23eftel)en = bie ^riifurtg ber Section befteljen, stand the test. 

1795. $er SJflrijang, of the antechamber. s Ji(Utfd)t, rustles. 

ACT III. SCENE 5. 

1778. 9lltr oljtte 3"Urd)t* Saladin thinks of a crouching Jew as he 
knew them. Sittah thinks Nathan may be „ettt furdjtfamer, beforg(id)er" 

3ube. 

<£)ie = bie gurdjt. The id ea f cursing the enemy with fear, etc., 
is frequent in the Old Testament and in antiquity; it is therefore very 
appropriate in the mouth of a Jew. 

1 80 1. Nathan does not admit the competency of the people to call 
him the Wise and modestly declines the title. 

1 80 1-2. Perhaps the Latin proverb Vox populi, vox dei was in 
Lessing's mind when he wrote these lines. Cf. Schiller's Maria Stuart, 
Act IV, Scene 8, where Burleigh says to the queen: „@el)0rd)e ber 
©timme be§ 2>olfe3, fie ift bie ©timme @otte3." 

1806-7. Cf. the Templar's remark, lines 741-2: „©emem 
(Nathan's) $otfe ift veld) urtb ttjcife tuefletdjt bct§ ndmUdje." 



ACT III. SCEN~ 5. 261 

181 1. %d) fjiire bid) beroeifett, ma§ ton tt>iberft)red)ett ttuttft, 

liKMbertyredjen with the accusative is found in Mid. II. German. 
Nathan's proof shows his wisdom. 

18 19. Xrotfeite Skrtmitft, *>&r reason. 

1 82 1. 3tufrid)tig, etc. Saladin is thinking of the religious problem 
that he is going to propose to Nathan while Nathan applies it to 
business matters. Nathan has already learned from the Dervish that 
Saladin wants money, but he prudently pretends to know nothing about 
it. 

1827. Sdjadjertt == fyctttbeln == here haggle. It is borrowed from 
the Hebrew and means to haggle, to jew, Saladin uses the word as 
referring to Sittah and Nathan. 

1832. O^egCt. The Templars had broken the truce. 

1835. (55eftcuert = gegtett, fyittauegetrjoHt. $ud) bte TOftdjt Ijabe 
id) rttdjt gefyabt. 

1837. §eifd)ett is stronger than either begefyrett or forbertt, for it 
means that what one desires must come. 

1841. (£ittleurf)tett = mit bem Skrjicmbe d§ roafjr crfannt roerbett. 

1842. £5$ bitt eilt $ttb T . Cf. Introd. p. xxv ff. and lines 1 312, 
2156. He seeks thus to avoid hazardous discussions which might get 
him into difficulty. 

1843. Although chronologically between Jew and Mussulman, 
Christians here form a third party merely in the controversy of the best 
religion. 

1848. ($ittfid)t, ®riittbett f 28af)l be3 Seffettt. Saladin had really 
studied his lesson. Xk Ginftdjt berufyt attf ©riinben, bte $ur 2Baf)l 
t>e§ SBeffew, jum 23or$ug be§ einert t»or bem anbern, fii^ren (3)untger). 

But if (Sittftdjt rests upon ©riittbett it is rather strange why it should 
precede and not follow. 

1850-2. The historical Saladin had decided this question for him- 
self, as he was a strict Mussulman; but he was liberal, and, if tradition 
speaks the truth, did discuss these questions with Christians and Jews. 

1855. SBcigft mid) mit htm 5(uge ?=migejl mid) mit ben 2Iiigen. 
1862. SBelaufdjett — befyordjen, barauf taufdjen, urn e£ raafyr $u 
nefjmetu 



262 NOTES. 



ACT III. SCENE 6. 



1868. @0 bat, fa blattf denote bare, blank, that is, the truth en- 
tirely free from error. 

1870. In ancient times the metals were merely weighed, not coined, 
therefore SSftiut^C does not apply well here to ancient means of pay- 
ment. Nathan means simply that the truth must first be maturely 
weighed, tested and proved, as coins are weighed, tested and proved. 

1872. <5ttmptl = s ]$xac\ieuie; gjrett = 3<*fy[&rett, counter. The 
official stamp guarantees against fraud. 

1873. ®arf = notig fyat, Brautfjt. 

1874. The omission of the article before @ad£ and $opf is taken 
from common life, unless we look upon this as a contraction of the 
preposition in and the ace. ben; in t U = tit. That seems, however, 
far-fetched. Cf. also Goethe in Gotz and Werther (an $0pf, in ©tatt, 

in ©ad). 

1875. Saladin demands the truth without testing it himself, as 
usurers are accustomed to get their money without too much trouble, 
hence Nathan considers him more a Jew than he is himself. 

1878-9. It is the truth. Saladin did yield to Sittah's suggestion 
to set a trap for the Jew. Cf. Act III, Scene 4. Nathan's noble heart 
struggles against such a suspicion, but experience tells him that princes 
have few scruples. Lessing had also found that out in his own deal- 
ings with princes. 

1881-2. gRtt ber £f)itre xn§ $an§ ftiir^en (fafjren, fatten), an 

idiomatic expression meaning to blurt out. Nathan means that Sala- 
din's question is a blunt one. The simile of the door is continued in 
the following lines. 

1885. ©totfjube, Simon pure jew. ©tocf in such compounds is 
merely strengthening. 

1888-9. $a3 toax'g I bag fatm mid) rcttett! Nathan is now 

ready to meet Saladin with the Tale of the Three Rings which v/ill help 
him out of his dilemma. He sees that Saladin is setting a trap for him 
and he will satisfy him with a tale, as children are satisfied. But we 
must remember that it is only a parable to illustrate the truth, not the 
truth itself. 



ACT III. SCENE 7. 263 

ACT III. SCENE 7. 

1891. 60 ift ba3 $elb rent, 77^ ^«^/j r/^r. But ba§ gelb ifl 

frei is more common. Sittah was not listening. , 

1892. $u btft 5U Dianbe = ]vl Cntbe, am (Snbc. 

1899. Sei6 Uttb Sedeit, an alliterative formula like the English 
life and limb. 

($l\t Uttb SBhtt is a rhyming formula, such as we often find in Ger- 
man. 

1 goo. Lessing was against martyrdom merely for the sake of gain- 
ing a name. Hence Nathan is too wise to choose a course that would 
lead to unnecessary danger, but yet wishes to be true to himself and 
his God. 

1 90 1. ©ittCtt tttehter XiM. The sultans of the East were accus- 
tomed to have pompous titles, and one of Saladin's titles was SBefferer 
ber 23elt urtb be§ ©efefceS (= be* ©laubertS, the Moral Law). 

1908-9. 3rtf iJttt et§fil)(t, Cf. Lessing in a letter to Ramler (Feb., 
1779) : ,/Mcf) rjerlartgt, rate ©tc mtt ber (Sr^d^lung ^nfrteben fcitt 
raerben, bte mir mttf(id) am jauerftert geraorben ift." 

191 1. ^ti Cftett, now im Often. Earlier usage omitted the article. 

1913-14. The opal of the East is noted for its play of colors and is 
highly prized for settings in rings, etc. 

ftaxbtn f^teltc = in garben fpielte. 

1915-16. The superstition of the Middle Ages supposed that the 
precious stones possessed magic virtues and they were worn as amulets. 
Cf. the story of Benedict Arnold's precious stone that lost its bright 
color when failure was to attend his steps just before his betrayal. 

$0r (§dtt Uttb 9Rettfd)en r etc. is Biblical. Cf. Luke ii, 52. Lessing 
found this feature in the Latin versions. See Intr., pp. xxi, xxii. 

19 1 7. This is an addition of Lessing which gives a rational turn to 
a superstition. 

1926. 3>tt $rttft, now £raft alone is used. 

1933. (Jntbretfjeu, cf. line 1293, note. 

J 945- 3>k Qteljeim = now insgeljeim. 

1965-6. Xathan had not yet told the whole truth, but wants to cee 
how for he can venture. 



264 NOTES. 

I 97°« -3d) bcic^tC^ Saladin now speaks and gives Nathan the de° 

sired opportunity to open more of the truth to him. He also begins to 
feel an interest in the question. 

1973. Confessors of positive religions wear different clothing, eat 
different kinds of food, drink different drinks. The Jews eat no pork, 
the Mussulmans drink no wine, etc. 

1974. The argument used here is similar to that used by Reimarus, 
in the fourth Wolfenbiittel Contribution, in the first Fragment : „3$0U 
bev SSerfdjreiimg ber 2krnunft auf ben $au$etn." Cf. also Introd., 

p. xxiv. 

1992-3. The rest of this is Lessing's addition. Boccaccio's story 
ended with the question who can distinguish between the three re- 
ligions. 

2006. SBe^etfyeit is the older form from which we have fcejidjt, fte- 
jidjteil, begtd)tigen\ At present only 3eif)en is admissible in the sense 
of accuse. 

2024. SBetrogeite 23etrieger, deluded deluders. Each maintained 
that he had the genuine ring, which, according to Nathan, was lost, 
and the father had substituted three false ones. All three had lost 
confidence in the virtue of his ring to make himself beloved of God 
and man, or rather, they had forgotten that that was the true test of 
the ring. Hence the ring acted only inwardly and not outwardly. 

2041-48. This passage is said to contain the whole idea of the 
drama. Unprejudiced thought, love of mankind, gentleness, these are 
the true tests of humanity. In a review Lessing says : " It is fortunate 
that here and there a divine thinks of the practical side of Christianity 
at a time when the most lose themselves in fruitless disputations; now 
they condemn a simple Moravian, now they give by their so-called 
refutations a much simpler religious mocker new material for mockery; 
now they quarrel over impossible agreements before they have laid the 
foundation for them by purification of the heart from bitterness, 
quarrelsomeness, calumniation, oppression, and by the spread of that 
love which alone marks the Christian. To patch up a universal re- 
ligion before they strive to lead men to the unanimous practice of their 
duties is nonsense. Can we make two bad dogs good by shutting them 
up together? Not agreement in opinions, but agreement in virtuous 



ACT III. SCENE 7. 265 

acts will make the world calm and happy." It is an indirect plea for 
religious tolerance, but falls short of Lessing's standard of his third 
stage. It is the best epitome that the Age of Enlightenment ever made 
and can well be studied by Christians. See Introd., p. xxiv. 

2053- 8prctf)ett = bat Urtfjett jpredjert, pronounce judgment. 

2060. W)tX f ei mettt $reitttb» In Boccaccio we have the same 
ending of the tale; Saladin wishes the Jew to become his friend. Cf. 
Introd. ? p. xxi ff. 

2063-4. Lessing's sources let Saladin relate his distress to Nathan, 
but Lessing has shown great delicacy in allowing Nathan to offer his 
services to Saladin. It shows Nathan's nobility of soul and relieves 
Saladin from great embarrassment. 

2074-5. We know that Al-Hafi had been to Nathan and warned 
him, but the interest the latter takes in the Templar had produced a 
change in him. 

2077. $reterbutg3, Cf. atterbingS, fd)(ed)terbing§, jrtatterbingS, 

neuerbuig$, which are all false formations licensed by usage. ^xtUX- 
btng§ has been condemned, as well as frifdjerbittgS, both of which 
Lessing coined. 

2080-1. £a3 9Mm(trf)e an tmtf) ^u fudjen = ba8 ttamttdje fe 

fudjen an mid) jit fteKen, ba§ 9?drnlid)e mid] anpjudjcrt. 2tn is here 
the real preposition and not the separable prefix. Cf. Goethe : %£ex 
etroas an Urn ju fucfjett rjabe ; and Schiller: ^ucfjt Ujr tttoaS art Urn? 

2083. Notice the great delicacy of Nathan in the use of the verb 
fdjicfert instead of ietf)en or borgen. In the next line he skillfully calls 
Saladin's attention to the Templar as he had promised him, lines 1269- 
70. 

2085. (Sine gtofje ^Oft* Literally, item in an account, here obli- 
gation. Now ber Soften is used for the older bte ^oft. The Templar 
had refused every reward, still Nathan felt in duty bound to reward 
him. 

2087. The order of Templars was founded for fighting against the 
Saracens; they had broken the truce; they were opposed to the mar- 
riage of Sittah with Richard's brother and of Melek with Richard's 
sister. Saladin's hostility to them- was well known. Cf. lines 231-2. 

2090. <£a§ Sebcn (Bpaxttft = 2>ct§ £e6ert fdjortteft. Cf. line 1346. 



266 NOTES. 

2091-2. Saladin had not really given him his freedom, nor did he 
have him watched. He could naturally think, therefore, that the Tem- 
plar had taken advantage of his carelessness and gone away. It seems 
improbable that Saladin had entirely forgotten him, yet this inconsis- 
tency is hardly noticeable here. 

2105. SBfo^e fietbenfdjaft = here „tiefe @el)nfudjt rtatf) feirtem 
SBntber, toelrfje be§ £empenjerrrt ^rtbUcf in ifym getoecft I)at" (Dtin- 
tzer). Cf. Schiller's verses: 

3)a§ eben ift ber f^tuct) ber bofen Xfjat, 
£)a|3 fie fortjeitQenb immer mujj Gebaren. 

2107-8. Uttb bei bent cutbertt 23letbi e3 batf| autfj ? refers to the 

financial aid he has promised Saladin. 

ACT III. SCENE 8. 

2111. Niemeyer interprets this line as if the Templar were a 
wounded victim escaping from the block. The stroke causing the 
wound is his growing love for Recha, whose presence he had fled to 
escape danger. He is at least a weary victim fleeing from danger. 

21 12-3. Cf. lines 1696-8, which explain his condition in Daja's 
words. 

21 17. $l)ttt au^ttbeugett, b. 1). burdj eine 2Bertburtg fid) erttaiefyert. 

The form beugett for biegett came from the imperative singular and the 
second and third persons singular indicative, which formerly had ett. In 
the figurative sense we should expect btegen, but as early as Luther the 
two forms became interchangeable. 

2118. 28ar ber ©treitf) p ftfjnefl ©efaflen* The impression 

made by Recha was quick and decisive; foreseeing this his refusal to 
see her again had been long and stubborn. And yet, as already ex- 
pressed, it is probable that his reason for refusing to see her at first was 
because of his prejudice against Jews and his fear that she might belong 
to the fanatics of that time, though this is not inconsistent with the 
idea that she did make an impression upon him when he rescued her 
from the fire. 

2123-4. With the Templar there could be no question of a resolu- 
tion formed by free and deliberate consideration, by active participation 



ACT III. SCENE 8. 267 

of the will; he simply suffered under the impression made. Niemeyer 
refers it to the dramatic motive of " passion." 

The form Ittt', litte, is the older lengthened form of the imperfect 
indicative, as in fafje, fcf)ietie, etc., now obsolete. 

2125. 5(tt fie t>erftricft = nitt if)r oerftmpft. 

2130. This was contrary to the rules of the order to which he be- 
longed, and the fact that the object of his love was a Jewess made it 
all the worse. 

2132-3. 3tt beitt gelabteit £(*ttb. He uses the word gelobt in a 
double sense. Line 2132, £)a§ gelobte £atlb is the land which Je- 
hovah promised (gelobte, imperfect from gelobetl ; in the text past 
part.) the Israelites, while the Templar, line 2133, praised (gelobt, past 
participle from foben) the land in which he had already overcome so 
many prejudices. Cf. Act II, Scene 5. The following arguments are 
rather specious ones to free his conscience while breaking away from 
his order. 

2139-41. The Templars were sworn to everlasting hatred of Mus- 
sulmans, they took the oath to fight against Saracens; but the Templar 
must love Saladin for sparing his life, and contemplated breaking all 
the other rules to which he was bound by oath. 

214 1-2. That is, oriental sky, as his father Assad was born there. 

2144-5. Assad the Mussulman had married a Christian. 

2149. <Strailtf)eItt. Stumbling precedes falling. The father had 
broken his covenanted faith, but the Templar was only contemplat- 
ing it. 

2154. GrmUtttWttg. The Templar feels that Nathan, the un- 
prejudiced Jew, will not only approve but even encourage his love to 
Recha. But Nathan suspects a more serious obstacle than creeds. 

2157. ®litl)t Ijeitre ^freilbe. The intransitive verb is used transi- 
tively. SSerratl) burd) feitt ©liifyen Ijeitre greube. Cf. line 19 14, ber 
Ijuttbert jdjone garben fpielte. We should expect jeirt 2ttttlifc instead 
of er. Cf. further 3ortt or £iebe Biicfett. 

2158. Historically true of Saladin, who sent all away pleased with 
him. 



268 NOTES. 



ACT III. SCENE 9. 

2162-3. $£* SBaittt ftefyt feincn dinfym = ^dlt feinen SKufym au§. 
Cf. feinen 9ftann fteljen = Ujn cutSljaften. The dative is also used with 
fteljen : cittern fteljen, to be equal to one. 

2175. 3 ur ©telle = auf ber ©tetfe. 

2180-2. The Templar conjures Nathan by the holiest bonds of 
nature to forget the bonds of religion (fpcitere geffeln) an< ^ gi ye nmi 
his daughter. The appeal is made in recollection of their former con- 
versation (lines 1 3 10-13), where Nathan maintains that the higher law- 
makes one a man before it makes him a Jew, a Mussulman, or a Chris- 
tian. 

2184. fitefcer, Uefier gremtb ! Notice the gradation. Nathan 
begins with Stinger Ttann, then Snnger greunb, lastly £ieoer grennb, 
which shows his sympathetic pity for the Templar. 

2189. SBetbc, that is, (grfemtttidjfeit unb 2iebe. 

2191-2. As Nathan was unprejudiced in regard to religion he could 
have no objection to the Templar on that score, and this was the only 
objection that the Templar could possibly see. 

2194-6. Nathan is feeling his way carefully to the solution of the 
mystery about the Templar's birth, which is the real hindrance to their 
union. If the Templar had told him the truth, there would have been 
no difficulty. But the Templar interprets Nathan's cautious inquiry as 
curiosity (line 2198, -ifteubegter, now 9?engier) f when it is merely the 
desire to prevent a mistake. 

2202-3. (£wb ift Sflttrab. (£nrb and $un£e are diminutive forms 
to (£onrab (Mid. H. G. $nonrat), as ©o£ to ©ottfneb, ©ei} to ©ieg= 
frteb, §ein$ to §einridj, %x\% to griebrid), U3 to Utrtcf). 

2209. SSaftarb Pbet Sattfert* The former denotes the illegitimate 
child whose father is of nobler rank than the mother. SJottfert — 
33anfart, belongs to the vulgar language. 

2210. <£>er ©tfjlag ift nityt 511 ticrarf>tcn. Cf. Philip Faulcon- 

bridge in King John and Edmond in King Lear, Schiller's SBaftart t>01t 
DrleanS in 2)er 3ungfrau bOtl Orleans, Sterne's Tristam Shandy Wie- 
land, etc. — ®d)Iag = 9Jtetfd)enfd)tag = 9ftenfd)enart, Art. 

221 1. The Templar now believes that it is a test of nobility which 



ACT III. SCENE IO. 269 

Nathan desires him to stand before he will give him the hand of his 
daughter. According to the law of 5H)rtenprobe he must show his des- 
cent from a certain number of nobles in succession. 

2213-15. The bitterness and irony show manifestly that he has not 
yet overcome his prejudice against the Jews, nor has he reached the 
higher standard of nobility. He does not doubt the genuineness of 
Nathan's ancestral tree, as such records are always infallible, and when 
Nathan gets to the end of his list at Abraham he (the Templar) can 
continue it to Adam. His own lack of honesty in giving his own 
family puts him in all the worse light. He has a long road to travel 
before he reaches Nathan's plane. 

2219. $tf) tviU (Surf) \a nut fiei btm 28orte ttttfjt btn Wuqtnblid 
fo faffett = 3d) tutlX dnd) nidjt gleicf) beim Sorte neljmen (or faffeit), 
nidjt ben 5Iugenb(id: ber §i^e between, Nathan knows that he will 
be understood when reason asserts itself once more and he has cleared 
up the mystery of Curd's birth. The Templar sees his wrong and asks 
pardon. 

ACT III. SCENE 10. 

2228. StfjOtt tnefyr al§ JJ r JtUg, continuation of the Templar's 
speech, fo }al) id) fte @d)0tt Diet $ltt>tei, above. 

2230. $0tt eilter $lehugfett f that is, his love to Recha, which, in 
his efforts at self-mastery, appears to him as a mere trifle. In his mon- 
ologue the white heat of passion wrought up his soul to its profoundest 
depths and now the cold wave of reason is congealing all feeling. So 
he ever fluctuates between violent extremes, never stable, never rational 
and thoughtful. 

, 2233. "£)ett aufgebutt^ T ttCU Staff, Lessing took his figure from 
baking; ber Ctnfgebunfene Xeig is kneaded together by the mind and 
brings order and light into the soul. 

2253. $emt tierfit^ert = Xenn feib &erftd)eri The omission of 
the auxiliary here is rather bold, but Lessing is fond of such omissions. 
Daja will not betray Nathan unless she is sure the Templar loves 
Recha; for otherwise it would avail her nothing. 

2259. 3trmer O^ittet ; pitiful because he thought to conceal from a 
woman that he was in love. 



270 NOTES. 

2261-2. $a£ ttrir §u Ija&en £>ft felbft nitfjt ttiiffett = quod nos 

habere ipsi saspe nescimus. It is contrary to the spirit of the German 
language to use the accusative with the infinitive, but it found defend- 
ers in Lessing, Goethe, and Wieland. 

2266-7. ©id) <w3 bent &taubt madjen and cine ftijen laffett are 

both colloquial, idiomatic expressions. To decamp, cut sticks; to 
abandon, forsake. 

2271. ©eflattre == ©cfCattcr. The older form with final e as in 
©eraufdje, ©emiitlje, ©efd^tcfe, etc. The double accusative with leljren 
♦ . , Icittten is quite proper. 

2285-6. The Templar speaks as Deist, not as Christian. 

2288-9. Christ and his disciples performed miracles on that very 
soil, and now the love of the Templar is to bring Recha into the bosom 
of the Church again, which, in Daja's eyes, is a miracle. The Tem- 
plar, who dislikes miracles, only admits that wonderful things do 
happen there. 

2303. 2)er abater fflft f djfltt tttiiffCtt. Daja wishes to say that by the 
disclosure of the secret Nathan will be only too glad to escape further 
punishment by renouncing all claim to Recha, but the Templar under- 
stands her to mean the employment of force. That is, she uses miiffen 
in the sense of necessity imposed upon Nathan by the force of circum- 
stances, and he understands it in the sense of actual force applied by 
others, and he will not listen to force in that sense. 

2304. Cf. Luke x, 30. 

2305. ©r tmtfe ntdjt miiffen, Cf. line 385, $etn Sftenfd) mug 

miiffen. As father of Recha he has the absolute right to dispose of 
her as he will and no one can force him to give her to any one. Daja 
changes her mufj miiffen to mug tt>otIen, as she knows that Nathan is 
only the foster-father and has no legal right to Recha. Having brought 
her up as Jewess when she was a Christian would subject him to severe 
punishment. 

2309. Daja keeps up the musical figure which the Templar had 
employed; for (SinfaHeit is used in music to denote that one instrument 
joins in accord with another, and is stronger than ehtfttmmen, also used 
in the same sense. The Templar continues the figure in his discordant 
note (SKifsfout). 



ACT IIL SCENE IO. 271 

2320. <$a§ Ct koti) gar tticfjt fjikett ttutf ! For Daja Lad troubled 
him often enough with her scruples on that subject, and he would not 
listen to her. 

2330-1. 2a%t (£utf| tutfjt bte SS^e^en fdjretfett. The Templar 

thinks that Daja has converted Recha to Christianity, hence his taunts, 
$dfg jcf)tt>er gerjCtlteu? etc. The pains of childbirth (Recha's spiritual 
birth) are not to frighten her from her good work; for, having dis- 
carded all belief, he can see no difference between Jew, Mussulman, or 
Christian. He is emancipated from the thralldom of creeds, like the 
Deists, but not yet purified from prejudice and bigotry so as to become 
a representative of the pure religion of God like Nathan and Saladin. 
2338. $ott (Surer Sftatfje = t>ou (Surer, ber bigotteu dfjrifttu, gab* 

rtf, CtUg (Surer SBerfftatt. SJcacfje is an expression taken from common 

life, as tu ber 3ftetcf)e feitt, rjaben, iu bie Sftacrje uebjmeu. Cf. the Eng- 
lish of your make. 

2339- Wty I fa t>erftef)t $fjr T 3 ? So mag r 3 geftett. She sees the 

natural mistake of the Templar and understands the taunt and over- 
looks it. 

2343-4. Assad is said to have become a Christian when he married 
a Christian wife. 

2347. Supply fjat before roetueu ruacfjeu. 

2352. According to an older custom a(8 is omitted in connection 
with the participle geboreu. We should expect $U§ \va% fie geboreu 
fet, at8 eiue Gtfjriftin geboreu fet. 

2359-61. $te (Stimme ber Watnv fo §it fcetfalfdjen, etc. Nature 

pronounced Recha a Christian at birth. In the Templar's mind, how- 
ever, Nathan had turned aside (t>erteufeu) the natural impulses of her 
heart from Christianity, her natural state, to himself, as if he were her 
real father. He had thus falsified nature in bringing her up as a 
Jewess when she was a Christian. 

<&{$) felbft gefaffen = fief) felbft iiberlaffeu, a quite common use with 
Lessing. 

2374. Sem £>htge = ber 2IngelegeuI)ett ber SBefreiung uub §eim= 
fiitjrung SftecrjCt'3 ; his love affair with Recha and its happy conclusion. 
She appears to ignore the Templar's vows of celibacy, which would be a 
natural hindrance to any contemplated secret flight which she seems to 
imply. 



272 NOTES. 



ACT IV. SCENE i. 



* Scene : in ben ^ren^gangen be3 Slofter^. The cloisters enclosed 

a court or garden. The archways opening into this court and en- 
circling this space were called $reu$gange (crossways) because they 
were intended for the procession following the cross of Christ, the 
object of these solemn processions. 

2379. ($r fjat frfjon redjt, bet s #atriard). The Patriarch must 

have been scolding the poor friar for his lack of success in his commis- 
sions. Cf. Act I, Scene 5, where he seems glad to have failed with 
the Templar. 

2384-6. He expresses his indignation at the worldliness of the 
clergy who wish to have a hand in everything. 2)ic D^afe in 5Ille8 
ftecfen, tie §anb itt 5Wem fyaben are idiomatic expressions and the 
diminutive forms only add force to his indignation. 

2396. JKHe faner mtr ber SHntrag fear. He repeats here his 
words, 3dj gel)', nnb gel)' rjergniigter ctlS id) fcttn, line 712. But he 
fears he rejoiced too soon and shows his indignation at the after 
effect of his message, if it prove that the Templar has changed his 
mind. 

2400-2. dintlh ♦ . , tum Slttf) ti\t%H, flatly refused. 

2409. ttnfet (Sngel, In saving the Templar's life Saladin became 
his guardian angel. 

241 1. Wilt ^leifd) nttb S3 Int. The fleshly lusts, worldly motives 
have overcome the ethical reason which induced the Templar at first to 
refuse the Patriarch's proposal. 

2412. The tuieber seems to be entirely forceless, as the Templar 
had neither been there before nor offered his services to the Patriarch 
at all. It is probably used to fill out the line, but felbet would be 
better for that purpose. 

2423-4. £)te ©arfje ift 5temtttf) pfafftftf), as it refers to a born 
Christian being brought up as a Jewess. Since the Reformation 
^fftff^ is in ill-repute and there seems to be just a shade of irony in this 
remark, for the Templar is in the transition stage from emancipation 
from creeds to the higher religion, and scoffs at all religion. 

2426-7. 333eU er ba3 $orred)t Ijai, ftd) $n toergefyen* This seems 



ACT IV. SCENE 2. 273 

to be the old Jesuitical rule that the end justifies the means. Absolu- 
tion is in the hands of the priests and they are in a sense responsible to 
themselves alone. 

He feels a responsibility to the Church now that he knows of a 
Christian who has been taken from the bosom of the Church. 

2432. The Templar is blindly seeking for counsel, but finds none 
in himself. He also wishes to throw off on some one else the responsi- 
bility imposed upon him by this secret. 

2435. O^cHgtOtt ift ^Ctrtei, The higher religion of Nathan is above 
the partisan spirit, but sectarianism is very partisan. The Templar is 
only partisan because he is selfish and piqued at Nathan. As unpar- 
tisan as he believes himself to be, he still finds the partisan spirit in- 
fluencing his actions. 

2437-8. fetitt, o!)tt r e3 fettift $x toiffen, botf) nut femer $>te 
Stcutge = ntmmt ftd) tmr jetrter Religion a (3 einer ^arteijadje an. 
(Sinem tie ©tartge fatten = eitien befdjiifrert, feitte ^artei ndjmen. It 

is a wrestling term. The judge gave each wrestler a second viho bore a 
pole (©tCUtge) and held it over the fallen man for protection. 

2440. The simple friar is rather bewildered than enlightened by 
this specious argument, and wisely remains discreet. 

2441-3. He does not wish for a dogmatical sentence against 
Nathan, so far has he not fallen that he would call down the powers 
that be upon his friend. He now begins to discuss whether he wants 
simple or learned advice and decides for the former. Notice the fine 
choice of words; tauter (pure) belongs to simple and not to learned 
advice. The advice of the friar would be lauter, that of the Patriarch 
would be getefyrt. Hence he asked the brother to be his Patriarch 
(fetb ifyr mem ^cttriard)). 

2449-51. Cf. Luke x, 41-2. 

ACT IV. SCENE 2. 

* 6cettC f $>er ^atriattf). See Introd., p. xxxii ff. 

2 455- ^trf ttttb rot refer to high living, freuttbftd) to his inner sat' 

isfaction. The description exactly suits Heraclius. 

2457. ^acf) §ofe ftdj erfyefcen = 9?adj §ofe fid) cmfmadjett. 



274 NOTES. 

2458. Saladin was noted for his simplicity. Cf. note to lines 
989-99. 

2469. 23fitf)eit ttltb (jriuten, may flourish like a green bay tree. 
The style of the Patriarch is sanctimonious enough. 

2473. ^ettt §emt. Polite form of address used by the Patriarch 
for effect, and not in submission as with the friar. 

2476. ^)0Ct) blutbUltgS tttrf)t Blind obedience was demanded of 
all members of orders, which the Templar contests. Lessing combats 
this opinion in the Fragments. 

2479. Goeze preached the same doctrine in his controversy with 
Lessing. 

2481. Cf. Matt, ii, 7, and the story of Abraham and Lot entertain- 
ing angels unawares, that is, messengers, for prophets and priests are 
angels of the Lord. So thought the Patriarch. 

Jjft £tt fttgClt, imitation of the French Cesi-a-dire. 

2487. 2)ie 22SUfiir= ben freten Siitfdjfujs, free will. Kant uses 

it in the same sense. 
2490-2. Cf. line 655. 
2511. Sine §t)p0te3 r = erbidjteter SRedjtSfaff. Mere hypothetical 

cases have no interest for the Patriarch; he deals in facts alone. A 
similar incident occurred in the Goeze controversy, where Goeze ob- 
jected to a purely hypothetical case. See Boxberger's footnote to this 
line. 

2515. 3WetltUng. The Templar has not yet made up his mind 
what to do, as he told the friar (3ljr toiftt e§ fdjott, ttmrum id) fomnte ? 
$aimt ft)eif3 id) e$ felbft). He is seeking for light to guide him and 
only wants the Patriarch's opinion. 

2517-18. Cf. the first Fragment published by Lessing entitled: 

Son ber SBerfdjreimtg ber SSenumft cmf ben $cm$e(tt. 

2522. There is a certain difficulty about the interpretation of this 
passage. In antiquity such themes for dissertations and orations were 
common in the schools of the rhetoricians, and all through the Middle 
Ages they w r ere favorite topics for discussion on the rostrums. But 
the reference to the theater reminds us of Goeze's controversy with 
Pastor Schlosser on the theater, with which Lessing had nothing to do. 
But Goeze was constantly stigmatizing Lessing for his theater logic, and 



ACT IV. SCENE 2. 275 

this is probably an allusion to that part of their controversy. See 
Boxberger on this passage. 

2526. Scfjtmrre = $offe f poffenljafter CnnfalL 

2527. (SHtten 3um $eften Ija&en, to make gams of one. 3)a8 93ejie 

was the prize at shooting-matches, ninepins and other games of skill, 
hence Streets $ttnt 35cftCH f)Ctben was to make it the prize; figuratively 
(Sirtetl Jlim S3cftCH Ijctben is to make one the aim of all derisive remarks, 
to make one the butt of ridicule. 

2 53i- 3 , iJrberfatttft==fog(eid(). The wor d is now obsolete except 
in official style, which Lessing intentionally makes the Patriarch use. 

2532-3. $rtyftitrf)e£ Uttb fatferlic^e^ 5Recf)t = jus canonicum and 
jus romanum. Ecclesiastical and civil right. 

2535. Cttef agic = often befagte. 

2538. $0%ftofj. ^tOJ3 is a heap of things laid over one another, 
^of^ftofi is a heap of wood = here ^d)etterf)CUifert, />&<? stake. 

2543-5. The Templar knew nothing of this though it is literally 
true. It was a chance shot with him. Daja had only told him the 
bare fact that Recha was a Christian. 

2546. This passage shows fanaticism in its true light, in all its glar- 
ing hideousness. No matter, the Jew is to be burned, regardless of the 
fact that he has shown true love to his neighbor. 

2554 ff. The Templar now assumes it as a real case and not hypo- 
thetical. But where did he get the information given here? Daja 
told him nothing of the kind. He can only have conjectured it from 
the knowledge he has of Nathan and the few words that Daja said to 
him. Cf. lines 1307, 2340. 

2558. ^et $entUttft Religion of reason which the Deists advo- 
cated. 

2560. ^ieferttJCgett = propterea. Now obsolescent and official 
style. 

2562-3. With Christians belief is considered very essential, but the 
Deists look upon the life, the moral rectitude, as the essential thing. 
Cf. lines 1583-9 for Recha's belief. 

2570. 3d) WW fogletd^ £imt 8u(tait. So Goeze did to Lessing 
when overcome in the controversy. Cf. Introd., p. x. 

2571-7. The historical capitulation contains no such conditions, 



276 NOTES. 

but rather even the Patriarch had to leave the city. Jerusalem was to 
remain uninjured; every Christian could leave on payment of a ransom; 
the Holy Sepulchre was to be spared, and every Christian could visit 
it on payment of a certain fee. 

2574- 3 U un f£* atferljeUtgften OWigiOtt. This expression was 
very common with Goeze in his controversy against Lessing. See 
Boxberger's footnote to this line. 

2578-82. Again we have Goeze's tactics with the duke of Bruns- 
wick in his efforts to bring Lessing into disrepute. Goeze employed 
almost the same words. 

2584. SertttOU = geiftticfye Sftebe ; it usually means a dry and 
tedious sermon. 

2589. 3»Uttbett, The use of the particle ge-in the formation of the 
past participle did not become a fixed rule until the Mid. and Mod. 
H.G. periods. Even in the Mid. H.G. period some participles rarely 
took ge- (e. g. fomen, tvjorben, fitnben, etc.), and in Mod. H.G., in the 
language of the poets, the past participle is often formed without ge-, 
especially funbett and trjorbert. 

The changed tone of the Patriarch is quite characteristic of him, and 
his historical prototype used the same tactics. 

2598. $luf belt ($Wttb fommeu, thoroughly investigate, trace to its 
source. 

2600. 9)icttt ©ot)tt* As superior to inferior this accords with 
ecclesiastical custom. The brother is well named Bonafides, good 
faith. 

ACT IV. SCENE 3. 

2602. 2>C^ $tttg3 (trash) expresses Lessing's contempt for 
money, which he has transferred to Saladin's character, though the 
great Saladin also had little regard for money. 

2607. There is a traditional saying of Saladin that the hands of a 
king should be like a sieve, so that money would slip through them. 
Saladin's were so. 

2609. ^Xb^marfeat = abgupfext, ab3erren (squeeze). It is used of 

money, property, and services. 

2611. £>a3 Slrmitt, now bte Slrmut/ In the preceding century, 



ACT IV. SCENE 4. 277 

the neuter gender of intuit was employed in the collective sense for 
the poor. 

2612. ^te <S^enbCtt bet bettt ©rabC* The tribute levied on every 
Christian to visit the grave of the Saviour had been abolished. Marin 
(ii, 72) says : Personne ne se presenie devant ltd sans recevoir de 
V argent ou des provisions when the inhabitants were leaving Jerusalem 
at the time of its capture. The generosity of Saladin to the citizens of 
Jerusalem is celebrated by all historians. Lessing could justly make 
him say that he would be glad if the alms for the poor pilgrims should 
not be interrupted and thus cause them to go away empty-handed. 

2615. 2$etttt ttUt . ♦ ♦ Just what Lessing had in mind in writing this 
SBetttt nur, is doubtful, but probably it was some act of generosity to 
to which he wished to refer. 

2627. 2ttfa, in Arabic Leila (night), a common name for girls. 

2633-5. BKdi ttJeg . ♦ , (gutmal Meifcett tour atte 2$eg. Euphe- 
mistic expression for fterben. Our he passed away . . . we shall all pass 
away, comes the nearest to it. 

2638. (£r f)(lt bet gfeittbe me^r (partitive gen.). Saladin in- 
dulgently refers to the passion of love which unsettled (Derriicft) Assad's 
life-plans. 

2647. 2'&$t belt ©d)(eicr fatten. For Muhammedan women can- 
not appear unveiled before men. 

2648-9. Uttb tttttt feitt Zott. Saladin had not yet heard the voice 
of the Templar, for after being pardoned, the Templar was so astounded 
that he could not speak and Saladin was so affected that he went away 
in silence (lines 587-9). Nathan had immediately recognized Wolf 
von Filneck's (Assad's) voice, and Saladin would certainly do the 
same. 

ACT IV. SCENE 4. 

2667. Like the Seven Sleepers, a well-known oriental tale. 

2668-9, In a letter to his brother Karl (April, 1779), Lessing 
writes : „©inttifton fo Diet al8 geenlanb (oter etgentlid) ©etuenlanb, t>on 
bfcfjtn, bem lateimfdjen genius). 3)i& fo Diet a'(3 gee." £>iu is the 
name of the evil spirit, hence the adjective gut to qualify it; and 
©ittttijtotl really signifies the desert of the genii. 



278 NOTES. 

SlUttte refers to the bloom of youth as among the ancients and keeps 
up the oriental coloring of the simile. 

2673-4. He refers to the secret love affair with the Christian lady 
von Stauffen, which finally led him to become a Christian in order to 
marry her. 

2684. Mm mix? In the last century um, especially when another 
preposition with the dative preceded it, governed the dative. See ex- 
amples in Boxberger's footnote to this passage. 

2685-6. %m tuei^en Wianttl, of the Templars. ^amerfonf = 

the broad mantel of the Arabs. £ulfcatt == Xurban. $tlftC = gil^Ut, 
felt hat, worn by the Templars who are said to have brought it into 
Europe. 

2687-8. gdj f)afie nie fcerlangt, £>a^ alien SSdumen (Sine fRinbe 

ttiarfjfc* Absolutely true of Saladin; for confessors of every faith lived 
quietly under his scepter and he had Christians in his household. 

2690. Continuation of Saladin's simile. This comparison of the 
different barks of trees well represents Lessing's opinion that religion 
(i. e. creed) is only the shell after all. Saladin was peacefully disposed 
and would have preferred to be God's gardener and allow all trees to 
grow in their special way than to be his champion on the field of 
battle. 

2693-4. @itt 9®0tt ? you give me your word of honor? (gttt 
ffllann, As a man of honor I do. Cf. the proverb : „(5irt SUtotttt, em 
Sort, em Sort, exit Sftcmtt," or „eirt Sort em Sort, em Sftcmrt ein 
SUfontU" That is, His word's the man. 

2694-5. The bond of friendship between them is sealed. Cf. the 
friendship between the Templar and Nathan, and Nathan and Saladin, 
so we now have a close bond between Christian, Jew, and Mussul- 
man. 

2699. ^a§ tint Xf\at ♦ . ♦ au^fcfjlitg = ba$ erne Zfyat . . . gereidjert, 
roerbert tiefj. We must either consider ausjcf)(agert as transitive here, 
contrary to its usual meaning, or change ba§ into ba|3» 

2700-2. Cf. Recha's remarks, lines 1604-6. 

2709. ©tfjtuierig = em^finblidj. 

2712. Said to be historically true of Saladin, though in general his 
character was regular and well-ordered. 



ACT IV. SCENE 4. 279 

2715. (£3 mit cinem Jjabett = (in colloquial style) e6 mit etnem ju 
tfyun tjahen, im §aber ftefyen, fo fe out with one. 

2732. $on Ijettent gfernett. Cf. lines 1321-2. 

2733. 5Bcfd)ttHM?CU, wheedle, flatter with soft words. 

2740. $tt£ ^euet*. Cf. line 2224, ba bremtt'S. This time it is the 

flames of love. We remember his hasty entry into Nathan's house 
when he visited Recha. 

2743. *g(atterbut(]3, flatly. Cf. line 2077, freierMttgS. 

2755-8. The Templar, having discarded revealed religion, calls all 
creeds and beliefs superstitions. He is now in the transition stage, but 
will soon pass to the advanced stage of Saladin and Xathan. 

(£§ fiitb mtfjt aft fret, bte tljrer Jetton fatten. These words 
have become a proverb in German. Riickert, Erl. Ausg. II. 450, says : 

ajfondjet tt>ar)nt ficfj fret, urtb fiefyet 
9Hd)t bte 23cmbe, bie ityn fdjniiren. 

The Templar also speaks of „bett fteffeln, tneldje bte Religion ben 
iD?enjd)ert atlfegt" (line 2182). He calls the doctrines of positive re- 
ligion chains (lines 2434-8). 

2760. 2Iberglaubett f like ©(aubett, is not generally used in the 
plural. 

2762-4. To be connected with the preceding speech of the 
Templar. 

S3(ijbc primarily means dim-sighted, but it is here used in the figura- 
tive sense of weak-minded. The idea is that the worst superstition is to 
consider one's own superstition the more tolerable, to entrust feeble man- 
kind to it till it grows used to the brighter light of truth. 

©etoofjne, instead of getootjne = getooljnt tnerben. In religious 
matters mankind is compared to weak-eyed people who cannot bear 
the full light of day. 

2767. liefer 3ltt3bmtb after 3Rettfd}ett = biefer ^usgqeidjttetfte 

after 2ftett]tf)ett. ^luebunb is really the front end of a piece of cloth 
which lies exposed to view and is therefore the best. In Mid. H.G. also 
called „©d)cmfall/' later „©cf)auenbe." In English, sample. 

2769-70. The Templar is again calumniating Xathan as with the 
Patriarch (Act IV, Scene 2). He knows nothing about the way 



280 NOTES. 

Nathan obtained Recha, and should not hastily conclude that he had 
used unfair means. Now Nathan had brought her up as a Jewess, 
before in no religion whatever. 

2772. $ontt = locft, as one does birds by scattering kernels of 
corn. 

2773. ©tfjiene = fdjietl. Cf. littt for litt in Act III, Scene 8. 
2776. $ft ciu tier^ettett Sljrtftettftnb. ^eqetteln = oerftrenen, 

with the additional idea of being lost. Is a stray Christian child. 

2780-3. Wolves in sheeps' clothing. ©eljet end) t>or Dor ben fat* 
fd)en *Propf)eten, bie in ®d)af$f(eibern ju end) fommen, tntDcnbig aber 
finb fie rcigenbc SBolfe. 

The hounds which he is to let loose upon Nathan are the same as 
those that Saladin afterwards calls fanatics of the Christian mob 
(line 2799). 

2789-90. ©trf) . , , genommctt f)<itte = ftd) . . . benommen Ijtitte. 
fid) ne^tnen is sometimes used for ftd) benefymen. 
2791. 23raufettb = letbenfdjaftUtf), feurtg. 
2799. 2>en ®tf)ttJdrmem beute3 ((Sfjrtftittfjen) S $$M§. Saladin 

hated fanatics of all kinds, but honored the noble-minded, though en- 
thusiastic, believers of all creeds. So he does not want Nathan given 
over to the fanatical mob. 

2802-3. Be not a Christian to spite a Jew or a Mussulman. 

2804. 23lutbegiev = SBlutgier. Cf. 9?eubegier for 9?engier, line 
2198. 

2810-11. Ashamed of his conduct, the Templar confesses his fault 
and fears that he is different from Saladin's Assad. But this very fear 
betrays Assad's true character, which gladly showed repentance for 
faults committed. 

2812. Impetuosity, misdirected, ungoverned by a strong will, is a 
a fault, but under proper control and well directed it becomes a virtue. 

Lessinghad the irascibility of his father, and yet he spoke in the fol- 
lowing true words of him : „2)u toctrft fo ein guter nnb sngleid) fo ein 
Ijifctger Sftcmn." 

2819-21. Saladin ironically remarks to the Templar that the great 
fault in Recha's education is that she has eaten no pork, a possible 
thrust at those Christians who consider the eating of pork a sign of 



ACT IV. SCENES 5 AND 6. 281 

superiority over the Jews and Turks. The Templar feels the sting, as 
we see in his monologue (Act V, Scene 3). 

ACT IV. SCENE 5. 

2829-30. Lessing had the intention of letting Saladin ask the 
Templar this question, and wrote out the passage, but Mendelssohn 
objected to it, as it reminded too closely of a similar well-known scene 
unworthy of a Lessing; therefore Lessing omitted it. The passage 
has never been found. See Boxberger's footnote to the passage. 

2842. The one that saves the life of a person has the same rights as 
the one who gives life, which is not at all true; the analogy is false. 
All the more would the Templar (says Saladin) have a better right to 
Recha than Nathan, who is not even her father. False again. 

2848. $te itefce -fteubegter, Sfteugier, 9?eugierbe are now more 
common. Sittah softens the harshness of her curiosity by the adjective 
licbc, my fond curiosity. 

2850-2. Cf. the remark of Hermann's father in Goethe's Hermann 
und Dorothea : 

„2>enn an ber 23raut, bte ber 9ttann (id) erttmfylt, [fif&t gleidj ftd) erfennen 
2Seld)e§ @ei[te§ er jet, unb ob er fid) eigentltdj SSertJ fill) It." 

Sittah's interest in the Templar has been awakened, and she wishes 
to know whether he has chosen wisely or not. 

ACT IV. SCENE 6. 

2860. Silver groundwork inwrought with golden vines, later called 
„golbne, ben toeifjen ©runb burd)fd)tattgelnbe @trome" ; purchased in 
Babylon for Daja. Cf. lines 44-5. 

2868. ^8tlb is used here as throughout this passage in the sense of 
©innbilb, emblem, symbol, and finnbitberft, line 2872, means sym- 
bolizest. 

2879. 2>CtttC StefcCttf fld) ett. Be off with the whole kit and boodle. 
@tebertfad)en really denotes a gripsack which contains only the most 
necessary things. 

2879-81. This passage has been explained by reference to Matt. 



282 NOTES. 

iv, i-io, where the Saviour is tempted by Satan. There is but slight 
similarity, still the pious Daja would naturally think of her Bible, as she 
is represented as very conversant with it throughout the play, though 
probably an anachronism, for the crusaders knew little and cared less 
for the Bible than for the priest's word. 

2881. *Rtd)t riiljr an I Supply id) as subject and e§ as object, ntdjt 
xilljX 1 id) e§ att. In her passionate excitement Daja uses a forcible ex- 
pression picked up from the language of the street. 

2886. D ftcttt ©ltd) ttidjt fo fretttfc* Do not feign to be so surprised, 
you know what I mean. 

2894. s )l\ti)t ^euerfoljlett, etc. Cf. Rom. xii, 20, fo toirft bit feurige 
$ofy(en Ctuf Jeitt §aupt fammeln. For the whole passage cf. lines 
54-6; 165; 742-4; 2318-9. Daja misconstrues the Biblical passage in 
thinking of the pains of conscience which Nathan must have in spite 
of his good deeds; for, if he were to give Recha back to her faith, he 
might rejoice in real earnest for having done a good deed. 

2895. Qod) btC die Seiet tmefcer? Harping on the same string 
again ? We use story or song instead of lyre. 

2896-7. Wii cittCr neitett Satte, that is, the love of the Templar. 
But it's out of tune (tteber fttmmt) or snaps (nod) Ijtilt). For when 
the mystery about the Templar is cleared up, he will prove to be 
Recha's brother, if Nathan's fear is realized. 

2904. 2$a3 fcJtrb er toollett? Like the Templar, Daja thinks the 
friar can have but one wish (to beg.) Hence Nathan's directions to 
give before he asks. Boxberger quotes Matt, v, 42 : „@ih bent, ber 
btttet/' but Nathan a Jew would hardly think of the New Testament 
command. He gives to all and wisely, and merely wishes to spare the 
brother the pain and humility of asking. 

ACT IV. SCENE 7. 

2912!!. If the Templar, as Nathan suspects, is the son of Wolf von 
Filneck, then he is Recha's brother, but if not, then Nathan would be- 
tray to the Templar that he is not Recha's father without there being 
any necessity for it. 

2916. @$ef) ! Said to Daja, whose curiosity caused her to linger. 



ACT IV. SCENE 7. 283 

2918. §Ctt !ftatl)(nt, formal address, which he drops v. hen he be- 
comes more intimately engaged in conversation with Nathan. 

2919. 2(mt0d) = nod). Cf the official forms of anbei, ctttljero, an* 
jei^o, annod), etc., which are still in use in official documents and often 
borrowed by the poets. 

2920-22. Cf. for the same testimony from Al-Hafi line 1066-9. 

3e ttu = -ftun toofjl 

2930. 23it£e = (5tttfd)abtgutig, ^ergiitnng, amends. @terjen[ad), 

sevenfold was not the Mosaic law of restitution, but fourfold. Cf. Ex. 
xxii, 1; I Sam. xii, 6; Luke xix, 8. 

2935-6. Sflj? = toofjnte. Quarantana, or more accurately Quaran- 
tania, Lat. Quarantena, is the name of the desert land between Jericho 
and Jerusalem, but a high, rugged mountain in this region is now es- 
pecially called by this name. Here the Saviour is said to have passed 
the forty days of his temptation (hence the name), for which reason 
many hermits had their cells in the various caverns during the Middle 
Ages. Here the man fell among thieves and was tended by the Good 
Samaritan. 

2942. 2ltfto0 = too. Cf. cmnod) above. These particles (an-, all-) 
are simply strengthening. 

2944. 3d) ftelje cwf Stouten ; generally cutf gttxfyenben $ol)fen 

ftdjen, to sit upon thorns, is used here by Lessing to denote not only 
great impatience, but also that he is sorely pressed for time; for he 
wishes to find the Templar and clear up the mystery of his birth. 

2947. ©icbelci (Utf Xfja&Ot, hermitage on Mt. Tabor, between 
six or eight miles from Nazareth, where Christ was transfigured. In 
the sixth and seventh centuries there were churches and a cloister on 
it. At the time of the crusades there was a Latin church and a 
cloister built there, but destroyed by the Muhammedans and rebuilt 
later. In 1187 Saladin laid everything there waste. 

2955. 3>tt3 Dfjt gefei?t, comes from the proverb einen g(ol) in§ 
Dljr fe^en, to put a flea in one's ear. Cf. ^n ben $0f>f fefectt, which 
probably led Lessing to the use of the above expression. Cf. also 
etnem in ben Dl)ren liegen, etc. 

2958-9. The Patriarch did not believe that the Templar's hypothe- 
sis was a hypothesis, but a real case, so he had nothing better to do 
than to send out the good Bonafides to find the Jew. 



284 NOTES. 

2961. £)ft governs the genitive when casual, the dative when local 
or temporal. 

2962-5. The reference is to Matt, xii, 31. This is a thrust at the 
theologians of that time, who understood by the sin against the Holy 
Ghost, now blasphemy of Christ's person, now the peculiar sins of 
malice, etc. But the controversy was endless and bitter. 

2979. ©ft^tl = ©ClgCt, a fortified seaport where formerly the 
Philistines dwelt. Saladin attacked and took it in 1 1 70, but abandoned 
it again because important matters called him to Egypt. It is now 
known under the name of Ghuzzeh. 

2982. ^ttttttt had been built not long before by a king of Jerusa- 
lem upon a height of the same name not far from Gaza. 

2986. ($r Mtefc bulb baraitf bet 5(3falmt = er fid, etc. Ascalon 
was a fortified seaport in the south of Palestine and bore a conspicuous 
part in the wars of the crusades. 

2987. SEBflfjI fflttft. The friar did not know Wolf von Filneck 
well, but in his personal relations (tt)of)t fotlft), in contradistinction to 
.war, where he met an honorable death, he was a dear lord. 

2995-6. So l)at t§ fJUte 2Bege, proverbial for there is no haste, 
there is no fear ; If no one else knows about the matter, there is then no 
fear. 

Xtttttt ttlh\ Nathan does not seem to trust him as he ought, hence 
this peculiar plea to inspire confidence. He prefers to leave the good 
undone rather than that it should produce evil. Surmising that Nathan 
had naturally brought up the child as his own, he tells him that there 
is no fear, for he will not betray him. 

3007-8. Uttb tttii^tct fo fiefflljttet foerbeit ? The Patriarch's sen- 
tence was : ber 3nbe tturb oerbrcmnt. 

3008. £>a3 ttritt mix ntrfjt tin = ba6 tniE mtr nid)t in ben $opf, em* 

tettdjten, / cannot understand it. 

3013-14. Unb ^ittber braudjeit £iefie f alludes to the well-known 

stories of children nursed by wild animals, where they lack a mother's 
love but do have the love of animals. 

3020-4. Lessing looked upon Christianity as upon ennobled Juda- 
ism, not a new religion, and this was the mistake of many and is so 
still. In one of the Fragments, ,,$011 bent gtoecfe 3efu unb fetner 



ACT VI. SCENE J, 285 

Siittger," this idea is dwelt upon. Cf. Boxberger's note to this passage. 
It is true that Jesus never broke with Judaism, but the l.octrines he 
taught were so diametrically opposed to it that the Christian religion 
has become a new religion, has become universal. Christians, however, 
should learn tolerance, and that is all the friar means here. The Jews 
are also God's children. 

3025. $urfaratf) = Mid. H.G. gatrfyrecf). Now they say 2Sort= 
fiiljrer, ©pretfjer, $ertreter bet ©eridjt, giirfyredjer, intercessor, advo- 
cate. See Schiller, Turandot (Act V, Scene 1). Weigand derives it 
from Low German $orfprafe. 

3026., SBetttt §a^ ttttb ©let^tteret. The fanaticism and hypo- 
critical piety of the Patriarch are meant. 

3032-5. Lessing often praised the simple-hearted and poor in 
spirit. The simple, trusting faith of the poor in heart is a better guide 
to pious deeds than the great knowledge of the theologians. Resigna- 
tion in God also received constant praise from our poet. 

5lfcgettHttttett is a very significant word, as it portrays the inner 
struggle in Nathan's soul when he received the Christian child as his 
own. It was the battle of resignation to God's will. 

3036. $fltf SSaffct = boXE Straiten, is a Biblical expression. 

3038-40. Gath is one of the five royal cities of Philistia lying north- 
west of Jerusalem, but at this time long since destroyed. The many 
persecutions of the Jews, even then and in our day, not for the praise 
of God as they claim, but for political reasons and for personal 
gain, warrant this heart-rending tale describing Nathan's ordeal and 
victory over self. This tale also has a direct bearing on Lessing's own 
life. For after a marriage of only one short year, the only happy year 
of his life, he lost a wife and child. It was a bitter struggle for the 
poet, and he wrestled long in anguish of soul, but came out resigned 
in spirit though broken in body, for he never recovered his health 
again. Nathan's struggle of soul was written with the heart's blood of 
the poet, 

3046-7. A Biblical description. Cf. Job, the king and inhabitants 
of Ninevah. 

3048. $etf)er = rtebertf)er, mit ©ott cutd) mofyf geredjtet. Just as 
Job wished to bring his cause with God before a judge and plead it. 
Job also accused God of injustice. 



286 NOTES. 

3050. Uttb bflrf) ift Qfrott. Like Job Nathan never denied God, how- 
ever much he might accuse him of injustice. Returning reason made 
him realize this and see that all happens through God's decrees. There 
fore he must practice what he had long ago understood. Faith in God 
and resignation to his decrees, love to man, both friend and foe, good 
deeds, charity, tolerance, these are God-given virtues and must be exer- 
cised by God's children. Their practice had made Nathan wise. The 
decision to do so was made at this critical moment of his life and God 
sent him the desired opportunity immediately. 

3059. $ttbem = itibcffen. 

3068-70. This passage corresponds exactly to Lessing's idea of 
religion. It is his third stage. Cf. Introd. pp. xii-xiii. All religions 
contain the germs out of which the higher religion can be developed. 
Nicodemus, the Good Samaritan, the Centurion, etc., all possessed 
those qualities which class them as professors of that universal religion, 
and their mere outward conformity to their peculiar modes of worship 
do not exclude them from the higher rank of perfect sons of God. So 
Nathan and the friar meet on a common plain. The Jew is no longer 
a Jew, nor the Christian a Christian, but both are true sons of God. 

3072. Ste&Cttfudje Ste&e* The love for his seven sons had been 
transferred to the foundling. The same idea occurs in line 3075. 

3078. tyluw t)0Uzxtb§. This last proof of Nathan's resignation to 
the will of God that he will obey, even if he must give up his adopted 
daughter whom he loves with a sevenfold love, convinces the friar 
completely (mm uoHeitb^) that Nathan is a true Christian. 

3081. ®er CtftC fcefte. The first one who comes along, whether 
his claim be good or not. It is a German idiomatic phrase meaning 
any one. 

3084. SWtttftClt = ttUttbeften, the earlier and formerly very common 
form of the word. 

3088. ©typ (@tjj£e), masc, now obsolescent; kinsman. 

3093. Uttb bent ©efrfjledjte beffett = Unb beffen ©efdjted)te. 

3101. %x\z$i = triigt. 

3104. $erfrf)arrtett = kgrubert. $erftf)arren is not elegant and is 
used to denote the hasty burial after a battle. It means literally to 
scrape into a hole, as animals bury their dead. 



ACT IV. SCENE 8. ACT V. SCENE I. 287 

3108. $d) faittt ttttfjt lefett. When we remember that the knights 
themselves could rarely read in the Middle Ages, it will not appear 
strange that a poor laybrother could not read. 

3112. $fjr= ber Gutter 9ied)a'S. 

31 19. (£tbam = ©d)ft)iegerfoi)tt- ; naturally the Templar. 

3124-5. The suspicion against Daja is unjust in one sense and cor- 
rect in another. She is the only one who knew the secret and it could 
have been divulged only by her. However she had not divulged it to 
the Patriarch, but to the Templar. 

ACT IV. SCENE 8. 
3135. 9tud) tfjttt tttd)t3 geftetft, that is, angebrctd)t. (Sitiem ettnag 

ftecfen is to tell some one something secretly, and is taken from every- 
day life. 

3142. JQUX expresses how quickly the Templar will lose Recha. 
Synonymous, yet different from Ijitjcf), f(ng§, till. 

3143. $>er Xtmptlfjcvv tft brum. Supply gefommen. Urn ettoaS 
fommen = etmag tierlteren, etnbiiffen, urn ettuaS gebradjt toerben, to 
lose. 

3150. ttttterttiegeu^ = unterlpegett or untertoegS. Untermegen is 

the dative plural (utlter ftJCgctl). UllterttjegS is falsely formed like 
t>orma(3, rtad)mal£, etc., according to the analogy of adverbial gen- 
itives. Uttter, however, never governs the genitive, so that it would be 
wrong here. 

ACT V. SCENE 1. 

* SWdtttafatf eit, that is, slaves. They were either bought as children 
or were the children of the concubines of the Turkish nobles and were 
carefully brought up. Lessing cites from Marin : "The Mamelukes or 
the body guard of Saladin wore a kind of yellow livery; for this was 
the color of the body guard of his whole house, and all who wished to 
appear attached to him sought to gain credit by wearing this color. 
Saladin kept a thousand Mamelukes who were very much attached to 
him and fought bravely." 

3158. $CtI)trfl, the Arabic form of Cairo, which latter form comes 
from the Italian pronunciation. The full name is Musr el Kahira, the 
victorious capital. It lies in Middle Egypt on the Nile. 



288 NOTES. 

3160. $&raf)tttt, Arabic form for Abraham. 

3162-3. §0&e $attf bcr guten gettiUtg, Tms construction ob- 
tained in Middle H.G. Edel riter Gunlher, des Schuzzes habe danc . . . 
It is more energetic than the usual construction, Qabt S)an! flit bte 
gute titling. 3eitung = ^adjritfjt. 

3165-6. £em QMttn $oten £eht ftottttbtot ? 23otettbrot denoted 

first the three slices of bread given to a messenger for good news, then 
any reward for a message. The expression is now obsolete and 33otetI~ 
tofyn is used instead. 

3176. <5o fur$ toot metttem $tt)trttt, euphemistic for death. They 
now say 5Ibgcttig or §itltrttt. Saladin died of a hot fever the 4th of 
March, 1 193, in his 57th year. According to Marin, IT, 320, Saladin 
had a presentiment of an early death. In sending his son El Dhaher, in 
1 192, to Upper Syria he said: "My son, you are going to reign over 
the states which I have given you. My infirmities make me fear that I 
shall never see you again." 

3190. ©prengte = ba% ^pferb fpringen ttefj, dashed off at full 

speed. 

3193. £etfer = S^eUerlecfer. It usually denotes a green young man, 
then ©djeftn, ©pit3bu&e. Here it means the rascal. 

3201. $aft fie mem SSetfoiel (f)at) bilbett tyelfeiu 

3202. $U QUtcr fieijt, at the last, £e£e denotes the fortress on the 
boundary, then the end, leave-taking, then parting gift, or cup; it then 
became confounded with Mid. H.G., fid) Xe^en = fttf) ergo^en, to enter- 
tain, rejoice. 2c^C {refreshment, amusement, parting cap) passed out 
of use except in several expressions, and finally became confounded with 
2efct(e), the end. 

ACT V. SCENE 2. 

3210. 5lbul(affctt is a common enough name, but the whole event 
here narrated is fictitious and only introduced to account for the delay 
of the transport. 

321 1. Xl)eb(ri£ r the country about Thebes in Upper Egypt. There 
had been no revolt there. 

3226. 3!}r ! \d} Hit, etc., addressed to the slaves in the back- 
ground. 



ACT V. SCENES 3 AND 4. 289 

ACT V. SCENE 3. 

3237 ff. The Templar begins to realize that the fanatical Christian in 
him is more firmly seated than the bigoted Jew in Nathan and advances 
one step farther in his transition stage. 

3244-9. The figure is from the plastic art. The unknown father is 
like the slave who brings the artist the rough block, while Nathan is 
like the artist who chisels it into a beautiful statue. 

The DbCtt (Btvatlb bt§ £efcett3 is the ordinary, stupid education 
which the ordinary person gives to a child, while Nathan had given 
Recha the best that could be had. Hence Nathan is the real father. 

3252. Wig (£f)riftettbtrue, SDirne formerly had a noble meaning, 
but now it mostly expresses contempt, which was the Templar's inten- 
tion in using it. 

3254. (Bo Cttt $ttte f that i s > a J ew ^ e Nathan who had won the 
Templar's profound respect. 

3256. <8etf>ft it)V £(id)eltt. Not even her smile, which had en- 
chanted him, would be valued by him without the charm of character 
and intellect as its priceless setting. 

3265. $et pattern, taken from the butterfly which passes its time 
fluttering in the sun. 

3266. SamuftfK Before he was firgetltd} {angry), now he is only 
ttWtttfd) {moody, cross). 

3268-9. aStemt id) ben (Bpott tJerbiettte, etc., what if, etc Cf. 

lines 2819-21, where Saladin was justly quite sarcastic. 

3274. $orge$jlaubert. Daja may after all have been merely gos- 
siping and knew nothing of what she was saying. He should have 
been wiser than to have given heed to her words. 

3282. It was not a single spark, the whole being was on fire. 

3285. 3|I}rer ttJartett, 2£artert with the genitive means to watch, 
to mind, to pay attention to. 

ACT V. SCENE 4. 

3292. Wanting nothing the friar was richer than Nathan with all 
his wealth; for the self-sufficient (getlitgjam) is rich. 

3317. (Sfrabett 2Beg£ = grabe§ fteg& For the sake of euphony 



290 NOTES. 

the weak form of the masc. and neut. adj. is used in adverbial expres- 
sions like this, but with this particular word the strong form has been 
retained. 

3326. 5Jltr bange madjte. In the expression einem bange madjen, 
bange is an adverb and the whole idea is to cause anxiety to any one. 
The dative is alone correct, but some look upon bange as an adjective 
and construe bange tttad)en with the accusative. 

3331-3. Nathan had educated a Christian child in his peculiar way 
and mankind would condemn him, but God knew all and had ordained 
all. 

ACT V. SCENE 5. 

3337. The Templar is not strictly truthful, for he had not w r aited 
for Nathan, but had first seen the Patriarch to get his advice in regard 
to Recha's case and then had hastened to Saladin to prevent any vio- 
lent measures from being taken. 

3346. ©ttfber= ©purl)imb, a kind of setter. Here it is used for a 
spy. Nathan is trying to find out whether the Templar has been to the 
Patriarch, and the Templar is trying to find out whether the friar has 
told Nathan anything. Hence the cautious questioning. 

3350. $>ie bumntC— tttdjt btC frummc. With all his simplicity 
the friar was not stupid and would never lend himself as a blind tool 
for executing the wicked plans of the Patriarch. 

3351. The Patriarch, however, considers him stupid and thinks him- 
self shrewd enough to use his simplicity for his bad purposes. 

3354. ©0 ftetft Ct ttJCtttgfteit^ fid) Mt, The Templar still fears 
that the friar may have betrayed all to the Patriarch and possibly to 
Nathan; he does not heartily trust him. Conscious of his own wrong 
he fears the result in either case. 

3363. Wlit feittcr ©unft = mit feiner (Srlaubmg, begging his par- 
don. The Templar had not made any complaint nor given any names. 

3370- %*$S = geljftritt, gefjler. 

3375- 2®a3 atttf) ttmnmfd) madjte = roa8 mid) in 2Butl) brad)te. 
SHhtrrnifdj = ftmrmtg, which is the usual form now. 

3381. $tt££uBeugett, Cf. Iine2ii7. 

3382. 2ttt£ be* £uft gegttffeit, an idiomatic expression meaning 



ACT V. SCENE 5. 291 

unfounded, invented. However, Nathan's questions were not unfounded, 
but very much to the point, for he wished to prevent any fatal mis- 
takes. 

3394-5. 9lutf) fur^ unb gitt ba$ 9Reffer an bte £ef)le fe^eu = 

Ctnen in bte dugerfte 9?0t bringetl. This expression means to attack 
one tooth and nail, do one all the damage possible. Of course it refers 
to his consultation with the Patriarch. 

3395-6- £80 fterft ba§ ($Vlte ? The delicate thrust which Nathan 
aims at the Templar shows at the same time the infinite fund of humor 
in his character. When the Templar closes his remarks with "well 
and good, I determined to do all the harm possible," he asks : " Do 
you call that good then?" We see this same vein of humor and at the 
same time reproof in him when offering his money to Saladin. 

3399. $efyfi$tg f here used in the active sense, hates you. 

3401. (gin junger Saffe = em wt&erftanbiger, nnbefonnener juttger 
2Ketifd). 

3402. 5ttt Beibett (£ttbett = an Srtretnen* He is an extremist who 
always does either too much or too little. 

3404-5. 28emt tl)r fo ntitf) frctlttf) faffet "If you come to me 

condemning your own act as you do and judging yourself so severely 
(then I must pardon you)." 

3432-4. $l)X tt)fif)ttt, etc. The breviary had informed Nathan fully 
of all he wished to know about both Recha and the Templar, hence 
there was no longer any necessity for concealment. Cf. lines 3327-94. 

3446-7. He had saved her from the fire, now he will save her from 
the convent. 

3449. The friar had been reminded by the Patriarch's commission 
of his part in delivering Recha to Nathan. The discovery of the whole 
truth resulted from this circumstance. 

3456. 9lu3 biefeu ($dubcn). 

3466-7. The Templars, and most of the orders of the day, were 
both priests and warriors. Nathan does not yet wish to tell the secret 
to the Templar, hence his evasive answers. 

3475-7. So Recha spoke to Daja: „roct§ tljat er Mr, ben @amen 
ber Bermmft 3)en er fo rein in mcine ^eele ftrente, 2ftit beines £anbe§ 
Unlrant ober 23mme .@o gem in mifdjen?" lines 1564-7. It is a plea 



292 NOTES. 

for rational religion again which the Templar prefers to the tares of 
superstition. Satan sows the tares. See Matt, xiii, 25!?. 

3483 ff. Lessing has skillfully brought out the character of the 
Templar, who inherits the impetuous temperament of Gannole in 
Boccaccio (see Introd. p. xxvi) . Again his passion carries him away and. 
his bitter sarcasms mar his better nature. " The shell may be bitter," 
says Nathan, " but the kernel is sound." 

3492. 28a§ Ijatiet U)r fitr euten ($ttgel ba geMlbet is the reading 

that stood in the first impression. Nathan also compares her to an 
angel. 

3493. Scr^Utt^Ctt, botch. The expression comes from the works of 
art which are botched by bunglers. Nathan had made a noble woman 
of Recha, and now she should become bigoted and narrow as most re- 
ligious partisans were. 

3494. (S;r, that is, be? @ttgc( of whom the Templar had just spoken. 
Recha would still be worthy of their love. 

3496. $0tt mehter £teI)C fagt \>a§ ttttfjt He cannot think the 
distorted picture which his busy fancy creates will be loveable. He 
does not wish the least thing, not even her name (as Nathan's 
daughter) changed. The slightest change would distort the picture in 
his eyes. 

3501. $fadj efcen Diet = ba% tft gteidj tnel, etrterlei, all the same. 

3507. Wi(M\\$ gettug, to be man enough, to have the courage. The 
genitive after gettltg was the prevailing construction at one time and is 
retained in this expression. 

The Templar thinks that Recha is filled with the same passion as 
himself and will sacrifice all to follow him. 

3510. Watf) (£ntf) . ♦ ♦ 5U fragetu Sftadj etrtem fragett, to mind or 

care for one. 

3512. The Templar is resolved to become a Mussulman in order to 
get Recha, and relies upon Saladin's promise to help him. 

3518. £ci(^t Bcibc. The close of the scene is rather drastic and 
abrupt, though the interest does not abate. It also prepares us well 
for the final scene. 



ACT V. SCENE 6. 293 



ACT V. SCENE 6. 



* parent* Cf. line 1 142. 

3520. 23eflCtnmt, for beflommett, the weak form for the strong. 

3525. 8d)icr = jdjtiett, behtalje. 

^rontttt. This was the highest praise Lessing could give: „3d) 
ferine an einem linrjertjeiratetett SRabc^en !eine rjofjeren Xugenben ate 
grommigleit imb ©efyorfam" is his saying. 

3528. 5nt)ertt = albernen, as above. 

3533-6. For while reading Ave acquire only through the memory, 
but the whole soul receives by lively, oral instruction. Lessing had 
positive ideas on this subject: ,/£>er cms 23rid)em erroorbene cfteidjtiim 
frember Srfaljnntg £>eigt ©eteljrfamfeit. Cngne ©rfafjrtmg iff 5B3ei$I)eit. 
S)a§ Heiitfte Capital don Meier ift mef)r roertrj aU Sttittionen don jener." 

3528-42. Teaching by object lessons (Pestalozzi, 1 745-1827) be- 
came the rage later, but earlier writers like Rousseau had turned atten- 
tion to the subject of education and advocated this innovation. But 
perhaps the ancient method of teaching was in Lessing's mind. 

3546. (Bd frf)led)t Itttb rerf)t is one of those rhyme-phrases, which 
are so popular even in our day. (Sd)Iecflt = fdjlidjt, ebett, gerabe, eitt* 
fattig, gut 

3547. 80 gattft fief) felfcft ttur afjnltrf) = gcur 5 original, natural and 

simple. 

3550. Saladin had told her his story and Al-Hafi had often spoken 
to her of Xathan. 

3554- SRettt $&tT$ ttutf Suft. My heart must have vent. Over- 
come by the painful idea that she is to lose her father she makes a 
strong appeal to Sittah in her anxiety and fear, hoping that she may be 
able to help her. 

3575- $ergeb T , . . &efol)tt T , forgive her for the bad (53ofee) and 
reward her for the good ((SJuteS). 

3579-80. Attention has already been called to this discrepancy in 
lines 758-62. For, if Daja's husband was drowned with the emperor 
Frederick in 1190 and she entered Nathan's service soon after, she 
could not have been Recha's nurse in childhood. Cf. Introd. p. xxxiv > 

3583. QJeattgftet, now geangftiget, but Goethe also uses cmgfien, 
Iph., Act I, Scene 2. 



294 NOTES. 

3586-9. Daja is one of those who believe their own way the only 
sure way to salvation, and she has done all in her power to convert 
Recha; now she has disclosed the secret of her birth. Proselyting was 
not in favor with Lessing. 

3601. 23$em ? is here used as the dative of JtmS, an unusual use. 
The It) a 8 refers back to „e§ geljt $U )T)eit„ and Went to „3)em fcmtt id) 
nidjts entgegenfe^ert." 

3612. Recha's doubt of the disclosure is expressed in the ft) ill = 
pretends to have disclosed. 

3619. $tt bic ^ittfjie gefjeu = gerctbccms geljen, to go straight ahead, 

hence to take the shortest cut. 

3624. 28te ttmrb mix (511 SDZitte)? 

3627. Set bet @ijttfttfjen (3Karie\ The worship of Mary was at 

its highest during the crusades. 

ACT V. SCENE 7. 

It will be remembered that Saladin was to inspect the caravan from 
Egypt and see the Emir off to Lebanon and then visit Sittah. 

3640. ©ie tft toon ftd) = fte ift auger fid), which is the more usual 
form. 

3645. History relates many instances of Saladin's high sense of 
justice to friend and foe. None sought mercy or help of him in vain, 
Cf. Marin's summary of his character at the close of his Histoire de 
Saladin. 

3653-4. Cf. the Templar's monologue, lines 3243ff. Not the slave 
who delivers the block to the artist is the author of the masterpiece in- 
to which the marble is chiseled, but the artist who plans and executes 
the work. There are higher, holier, closer relations than the mere 
authorship of one's being; viz., that of guide and wise instructor who 
develops the noble and pure mind and fills the soul with high and 
noble aspirations; he has a sacred claim to the child which far out- 
weighs mere abstract parentage. 

3656. Saladin considers the disclosure a piece of cruelty, though 
done with the best intentions. The Templar had told him this story, 
but he gives it no credence and waits for the proof. 



ACT V. LAST SCENE. 295 

3661. Jafelnb = aBeriuigig unb line irrig rebenb. The 2Imme 

(nurse) was in her dotage and may have been wandering in her mind. 
The question is, how did she ever find out Nathan's secret? Of course 
the poet is not obliged to tell us all the secrets of the play, but yet 
Nathan was certainly never indiscreet enough to betray his own secret 
to a nurse. 

3674 ff. UlStgefeljeu is the imperative. 

Itttt btC fflttte Men tV\U. One who would run life's race on equal 
terms with her; in other words, one of equal age and chances. 

ACT V. LAST SCENE. 

3690-2. Boccaccio also makes Saladin return the money borrowed 
of the Jew Melchisedec. 

3691. SBebeuten, inform. 

3696-9. Boccaccio also makes Saladin send away the Jew with 
rich presents. Lessing's skill in carrying out this motive is much 
greater than that of the Italian. Saladin's delicacy in his offer is ex- 
tremely pleasant. Nathan, however, attends to the weightier matters 
first. 

3706-7. Observe the strengthening double negative, like the Greek 
and older English; present colloquial English employs the same means 
of adding emphasis to the negation. 

3708. Reiner, fewer ($erhtft) fonft! Recha confesses to Daja 
(lines 1718-23) that she does not love the Templar, but that he would 
always be dear to her. Her desire to see him was the desire to be able 
to thank her rescuer. 

3709. The thought had never entered the Templar's mind that 
Recha was not as passionately in love with him as he with her. Cf. 
line 2185!., also lines 3507-8. 

3715. Cf. lines 2817-8, where Saladin promised to secure Recha for 
him. 

3716. Qbdify = jal). It is the impetuous Gannole of Boccaccio 
again. See Introd. p. xxvi. His impetuosity had led him to believe 
that everybody must see things just as he did without explanation or 
comment. He should have been sure of his affair before he spoke. 



296 NOTES. 

3721. $fuf trgettb tint 238of)ltf)at ttQt}t, puts overweening confi- 
dence in a good deed. He who is too confident of the good impression 
a good deed will make will have to take it back. 

373 6 - 3ffc t&a§ !Ked)t r 3» That's something remarkable, worth 
boasting of. 

3737- ffllth\t§ 23tUber3 , , ♦ nid)t3. Now generally nid^td Don 
ttmrtem 23rnber, but the genitive after nid)t§ used to be the usual con- 
struction. 

3743-5. This differs from Saladin's opinion expressed to Sittah, 
lines 2840-44. Saladin was apparently arbitrary with Jews, as all 
princes have ever been. 

3753-4- @r t)at ttjr einen $ater anfgefinnben, foisted himself a 

Jezv as her father tipon her a Christian, and now he is going to foist a 
brother upon her. 

3756. (Sfjrift ! Once before Saladin had used this reproof with the 
Templar (line 27831!.), and he deserved it. 

3760. Nathan remembers the bitter disappointment the Templar 
has just experienced and the thoughtless passion of youth, both of 
which would lead him to rash and ill-considered words. 

3761. Suspicion follows on the heels of distrust. If the Templar 
had confided in Nathan and given him his true name, he would have 
spared himself much trouble. But lacking the virtue of confidence in 
others he became suspicious and misanthropic, which led him to acts 
unworthy of his better self. 

3770. $a3 Ijeift* ©ntt ifjtt tyrecfjett, Nathan's kindness in giving 
this excellent excuse for the Templar's apparent deception could only 
come from one who was guided by divine wisdom, hence the Templar 
says that God prompted him to say that. 

3775- §ter %\\ Sanbe f amen = Ijer 311 £anbe = in biefeS £anb famen. 

After verbs of motion we should expect fyierljer, or in this case fjer, but 
compare lines 502, 2459, where the simple Ijier is used. 

3785. ©r mar metn gfremtb* Cf. lines 2988-9, where he mentions 
the favors he had received from Assad. 

3790-1. The Templar's eagerness to find out the brother leads him 
to check (ntdjt ttteljr) Nathan's story of his father and tell him of the 
brother, which is now of vastly greater importance to him. 



ACT V. LAST SCENE. 297 

3795- Sktrieger = 23etritger. The information that he was 
Recha's brother produced such a revolt in the Templar that he was 
unable to recover from his surprise and dismay. It was a thunderclap 
in a clear sky to him, for he never expected to lose the woman he loved 
in this way. Recha and Saladin misinterpret his feeling and imagine 
that he considers herself and father deceivers. Saladin's bitter reproof 
brings him to his senses again and he makes proper amends. 

3797-8. The outward resemblance to Assad finds no confirmation 
in the heart of the Templar who could believe Nathan and Recha 
capable of deception; therefore the outward resemblance is deceptive. 
Compare the Templar's own remark, lines 704-707. „2Bie? ble Sfattltr 

tjatt' and) nur (5inen 3 U 9 $° n ntir to beine§ SBrubers gorm gebilbet : 
Unb bent entfpradje mtfjts in tnetner ®eefe ? 9?atnr, jo leugft bit tttdjt !" 
But the Templar's heart was as true as Assad's. Surprise, consterna- 
tion, and pain at his loss, had overpowered his feelings, and he was 
unable to reconcile himself to the new situation. 

3804-5. For the bonds of nature (the love of brother to sister and 
sister to brother) are stronger than the bonds that bind soul to soul. 
It is one of the motives of the piece. We see it in Saladin and Sittah, 
in Assad and Lilla. The study of the classics led Lessing to this idea; 
for it is the spirit of the ancient drama where we see portrayed in the 
Antigone and Iphigenia the tenderest brotherly and sisterly love, but 
conjugal love was not considered proper to be portrayed on the stage. 

3808-g. The Templar remains true to his suspicious nature. He is 
conscious that Nathan had good reason for disowning him and imagines 
that he is going to make Recha suffer for his faults, but Nathan in giv- 
ing the baptismal name of Recha had no intention of disowning her 
and dispels all suspicion by the question Unb to a 3 ? For what should 
she be made to suffer ? 

3818. <S)a§ (Sefdjttrifter* Cf. line 260. 

3832. 5tt) ! f elite §(Xttb. Cf. line 3i09flF., where the friar says that 
the father had written with his own hand the family names, etc. 

3833-4. Nathan had been compelled to prove the relationship be- 
tween the Templar and Recha to prevent harm, but there was no 
reason whatever for divulging the secret of Saladin's relations to the 
two, unless he himself wished it. Therefore he leaves it to him, know- 



298 NOTES. 

ing that he would do what was right. It would be to mistake Lessing 
completely to assume that he makes Nathan guard the secret from any 
feeling of servility to Saladin. 

3835. (Srfetuten = cnierfermen. 

3836. Wltint 9teff£tt« This expression denotes the relation exist- 
ing between uncles and nephews, but when nephews and nieces are to 
be included, the masculine form has the preference, as including nieces. 

3842. Cf. line 3669. Sittah had made the same offer in line 3524. 
3844. Cf. lines 3678-9. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY. 



This list contains only those works bearing upon Nathan. For a 
fuller list of works upon Lessing see Minna von Barnhelm, pp. 243-4 
in this same series. 

Bohtz. G. E. Lessing's Protestantismus und Nathan der Weise. Er- 
lautert von Dr. August Wilhelm Bohtz. Gottingen. Vanden- 

hoeck und Ruprecht's Verlag. 1854. 
Buchheim. Nathan der Weise, a Dramatic Poem by Lessing, Edited 

with English Notes, etc. By C. A. Buchheim. Second Revised 

Edition. Oxford. At the Clarendon Press. 1888. 
Caro. Lessing und Swift. Eine Studie iiber Nathan der Weise. Von 

Dr. J. Caro. Leipzig. Verlag von Ambr. Abel. 
Diesterweg. Lessing's Nathan, in Jahrbuch fur Lehrer und Schul- 

freunde. 1865. Von Adolph Diesterweg. 
Duntzer. Lessing's Nathan der Weise. Erlautert von Heinrich 

Duntzer. Leipzig, Ed. Wartig's Verlag. 1883. 
Fischer. G. E. Lessing als Reformator der deutschen Literatur dar- 

gestellt von Kuno Fischer. Zweiter Theil. Nathan der Weise. 

Stuttgart. 1 881. 
Fiirst. Lessing's Nathan der Weise. Historisch und philosophisch 

erlautert von Dr. Julius Fiirst. Leipzig. Verlag von Wilhelm 

Friedrich. 1881. 
Giesse. Gotth. Ephr. Lessing's Nathan der Weise. Ein Conferenz- 

vortrag von W. Giesse, Pfarrer in Langenschwalbach. Darmstadt 

und Leipzig. Eduard Zernin. 1866. 
Kopke. Studien zu Lessing's Nathan. Ein Vortrag von Dr. Ernst 

Kopke. Brandenburg a, H., 1865. Gedruckt bei Adolph 

Miiller. 
Marin. Histoire de Saladin par M. Marin. A la Haye. 1758. 

299 



300 BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

Naumann. Literatur liber Lessing's Nathan. Aus den Quellen. 

Von F. Naumann. Dresden. Konigl. Hofbuchhandlung von Her- 
mann Burbach. 1867. 
Niemeyer. Lessing's Nathan der Weise, erlautert von Dr. Eduard 

Niemeyer. Zweite Ausgabe. Leipzig, 1887. Verlag von Sieges- 

mund und Volkening. 
Pabst. Vorlesungen iiber G. E. Lessing's Nathan, von Dr. C. R. 

Pabst. Bern. Verlag von B. F. Haller. 1881. 
Ronnefahrt. Lessing's dramatisches Gedicht Nathan der Weise. Aus 

seinem Inhalte erklart von J. G. Ronnefahrt. Stendal. Franzen 

und Grosse. 1863. 
Schwarz. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing als Theologe, dargestellt von 

Carl Schwarz. Halle. C. E. M . Pfeff er. 1 854. 
Spielhagen. Faust und Nathan. Von Friedrich Spielhagen. Berlin. 

Verlag von Franz Duncker. 1867. 
Strauss. Lessing's Nathan der Weise. Ein Vortrag von David 

Friedrich Strauss. Bonn. Emil Strauss. 1877. 
Trosien. Lessing's Nathan der Weise. Vortrag von E. Trosien. 

Hamburg. Verlag von J. F. Richter. 
Werder. Vorlesungen iiber Lessing's Nathan, von Karl Werder. 

Berlin. W. F. Fontane und Co. 1892. 
Wlinsche. Der Ursprung der Parabel von den drei Ringen. A. 

Wiinsche. Die Grenzboten am Januar 1879. 



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Goethe's Sesenheim. From Die hi ungu?id Wahrheit. With notes by Profes- 
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Goethe's Meisterwerke. Selections in prose and verse, with copious notes by 
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Goethe's Dichtung und Wahrheit. (I-IV.) Edited by Professor C. A. Buch- 
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Goethe's Hermann und Dorothea. With introduction and notes by Professor 
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Goethe's Iphigenie. With introduction and notes by Professor L. A. Rhoades of 
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Goethe's Faust. Part I. With introduction and notes by Professor Thomas of 
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Goethe's Faust. Part II. With introduction and notes by Professor Thomas of 
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Heine's Poems. Selected and edited with notes by Professor White of Cornell 
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Walther'S Meereskunde. (Scientific German.) Notes and vocabulary by S. A. 
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Gore's German Science Reader. Introductory reader in scientific German, with 
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Hodges'S Scientific German. Selected and edited by Professor Hodges, formerly 
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Wenckebach's Deutsche Liter aturgeschichte. Vol. I (to noo a.d.) with 

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Wenckebach's Meisterwerke des Mittelalters. Selections from German 
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Ibeatb's flDofcern Xanouaae Series* 

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Edgren's Compendious French Grammar. Adapted to the needs of the begin- 

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Edgren's French Grammar, Part I. For those who wish to leam quickly to 

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Grandgent's Short French Grammar. Brief, yet complete enough for all 

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Grandgent's French Lessons and Exercises. First Year's Course for 

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Storr's Hints on French Syntax. With exercises. Limp cloth. 30 cts. 
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Fontaine's Liyre de Lecture et de Conversation. Entirely in French. Com- 
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Fontaine |S Lectures Courantes- Can follow the above. Contains Reading, Con- 
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Super's Preparatory French Reader. Complete and graded selections of 

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Davies's Elementary Scientific French Reader. Confined to Scientific French. 

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1beatb'0 flDo&ern Xanguage Series* 

ELEMENTARY FRENCH TEXTS. 

Jules Verne's L'Expedition de la Jeune Hardie. With notes, - ocabulary, and 

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Gervais'S Un Cas de Conscience. With notes, vocabulary, and appendixes by 
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Genin'S Le Petit Tailleur Bouton. With notes, vocabulary and appendixes by 
W. S. Lyon. Paper. 88 pages. 25 cts. 

Assollant's Une A venture du Celebre Pierrot. With notes, vocabulary, and 

appendixes by R. E. Pain. Paper. 93 pages. 25 cts. 

Muller's Les Grandes Decouvertes Modernes. Talks on Photography and 

Telegraphy. With notes, vocabulary, and appendixes by F. E. B. Wale. Paper. 
88 pages. 25 cts. 

RecitS de Guerre et de Revolution. Selected and edited, with notes, vocabu- 
lary, and appendixes by B. Minssen. Paper. 91 pages. 25 cts. 

Bruno's Les EnfantS Patriotes. With notes, vocabulary, and appendixes by 
W. S. Lyon. Paper. 94 pages. 25 cts. 

Bedolliere's La Mere Michel et son Chat. With notes, vocabulary and appen- 
dixes by W. S. Lyon. Boards. 96 pages. 25 cts. 

Legouve and Labiche's La Cigale chez les Fourmis. A comedy in one act, 

with notes by W. H. Witherby. Boards. 56 pages. 20 cts. 

Labiche and Martin's Le Voyage de M. Perrichon. A comedy with introduc- 
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108 pages. 25 cts. 

Labiche and Martin's La Poudre aux Yeux. Comedy with notes by Professor 
Wells, University of the South. Boards. 92 pages. 25 cts. 

Dumas's L'Evasion du Due de Beaufort. With notes by D. B. Kitchen, 

Boards. 91 pages. 25 cts. 

Assollant's Recits de la Vieille France. With notes by E. B. Wauton. Paper. 

78 pages. 25 cts. 

Berthet'S Le Pacte de Famine. With notes by B. B. Dickinson. Boards. 94 
pages. 25 cts. 

Erckmann-Chatrian's L'Histoire d'un Paysan. With notes by W. S. Lyon. 

Paper. 94 pages. 25 cts. 

France's Abeille. With notes by C. P. Lebon of the Boston English High School. 
Paper. 94 pages. 25 cts. 

La Main Malheureuse. With complete and detailed vocabulary, by H. A. Guer- 
ber, Nyack, N. Y. Boards. 106 pages. 25 cts. 

Enault'S Le Chien du Capitaine. Notes and vocabulary, by C. Fontaine, Di- 
rector of French, High Schools, Washington, D. C. Boards. 142 pages. 35 cts. 

TroiS Contes ChoisiS par Daudet. {Le Siege de Berlin, La dernier e Classe, 
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Erckmann-Chatrian's Le Conscrit de 1813. Notes and vocabulary, by Pro- 
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Selections for Sight Translation. Fifty fifteen-line extracts compiled by Miss 
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Dumas'S La Tulipe Noire. With notes by Professor C. Fontaine, Central High 
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Erckmann-Chatrian'S Waterloo. Abridged and annotated by Professor O. B. 

Super of Dickinson College. Boards. 189 pages. 35 cts. 

ADOUt's Le Roi des Montagfnes. Edited by Professor Thomas Logie. Cloth. 

238 pages. 40 cts. 

Pailleron'S Le Monde Oil l'on S'ennuie. A comedy with notes by Professor 
Pendleton of Bethany College, W. Va. Boards. 138 pages. 30 cts. 

Souvestre's Le Mari de Mme de Solange. With notes by Professor Super of 
Dickinson College. Paper. 59 pages. 20 cts. 

Historiettes Modernes, Vol. I. Short modern stories, selected and edited, with 
notes, by C. Fontaine, Director of French in the High Schools of Washington, 
D. C. Cloth. 162 pages. 60 cts. 

Historiettes Modernes, Vol. II. Short stories as above. Cloth. 160 pages. 
60 cts. 

Fleurs de France. A collection of short and choice French stories of recent date 
with notes by C. Fontaine, Washington, D. C. Cloth. 158 pages. 60 cts. 

Sandeau's Mile de la Seigfliere. With introduction and notes by Professor 
Warren of Adelbert College. Boards. 158 pages. 30 cts. 

SoUVestre'S Un PhiloSOphe SOUS les ToitS. With notes and vocabulary by 
Professor Frazer of the University of Toronto. Cloth. 283 pages. 80 cts. 
Without vocabulary. Cloth. 178 pages. 50 cts. 

Souvestre's Les Confessions d'un Ouvrier. With notes by Professor Super of 

Dickinson College. Paper. 127 pages. 30 cts. 

Augier's Le Gendre de M. Poirier. One of the masterpieces of modern comedy. 
Edited by Professor Wells of the University of the South. Boards. 118 pages. 
30 cts. 

Merimee'S Colomba. With notes by Professor J. A. Fontaine of Bryn Mawr 
College. 192 pages. Cloth, 60 cts ; boards, 35 cts. 

Merimee's Chronique du Regne de Charles IX. With notes by Professor P. 

Desages, Cheltenham College, England. Paper. 119 pages. 25 cts. 

Sand's La Mare au DiaDle. With notes by Professor F. C. de Sumichrast of 
Harvard. Boards. 122 pages. 25 cts. 

Sand's La Petite Fadette. With notes by F. Aston-Binns, Balliol College, Ox- 
ford, England. Boards. 142 pages. 30 cts. 

De Vigny'S Le Cachet Rouge. With notes by Professor For tier of Tulane 
University. Paper. 60 pages. 20 cts. 

De Vigny's La Canne de Jonc. Edited by Professor Spiers, with Introduction 
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Halevy's L'Abbe Constantin. Edited with notes, by Professor Thomas Logie. 
Boards. 160 pages. 35 cts. 



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Ibearb's ZlDo&etn Xanguaae Series. 

INTERMEDIATE FRENCH TEXTS. (Partial List.) 

Lamartine's Jeanne d'Arc. Edited by Professor Barrere, Royal Military Acad- 
emy, Woolwich, England. Cloth. 109 pages. 30 cts. 

Victor Hugo's La Chute. From Les Misirables. Edited with notes by Profes- 
sor Huss of Princeton. Boards. 97 pages. 25 cts. 

Victor Hugo's Bug Jargfal. With notes by Professor Boielle of Dulwich Col- 
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Champfleury's Le Violon de faience. With notes by Professor Clovis Bevenot 
Mason College, England. Paper. 118 pages. 25 cts. 

Gau tier's Voyage en Espagne. With notes by H. C. Steel. Paper. 112 pages. 
25 cts. 

Balzac's Le Cure de Tours. With notes by Professor C. R. Carter, Wellington 
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Daudet'S La Belle -Nivernaise. With notes by Professor Boielle of Dulwich 
College, England. Boards. 104 pages. 25 cts. 

Theuriet'S Bigarreau. With notes by C. Fontaine, Washington, D. C. Boards. 
68 pages. 25 cts. 

Advanced Selections for Sight Translation. Extracts, twenty to fifty lines 

long, compiled by Mme. T. F. Colin of Miss Baldwin's School, Bryn Mawr, 
Pa. Paper. 48 pages. 15 cts. 

Dumas'S La Question d'Argent. Comedy edited by G. N. Henning, Assistant 
in French, Harvard University. Boards. 136 pages. 30 cts. 

Lesage'S Gil Bias. Abbreviated and edited, with introduction and notes, by Pro- 
fessor Cohn of Columbia University, and Professor Sanderson, formerly of Har- 
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Sarcey's Le Siege de Paris. With introduction and notes by Professor I. H. B. 
Spiers, of William Penn Charter School, Philadelphia. Boards. 188 pages. 
35 cts. 

Loti'S Pecheur d'Islande. With notes by R. J. Morich. Boards. 30 cts. 

Beaumarchais'S Le Barhier de Seville. Comedy with introduction and notes by 
Professor Spiers of William Penn Charter School. Boards. 25 cts. 

Moliere'S Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. With introduction and notes by Profes- 
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Moliere'S L'Avare. With introduction and notes by Professor Levi of the Uni- 
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Racine's Esther. With introduction, notes, and appendixes by Professor I. H. B. 
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Racine's Athalie. With introduction and notes by Professor Eggert of Vander- 
bilt University. 156 pages. Cloth, 50 cts ; boards, 30 cts. 

Racine's Andromaque. With introduction and notes by Professor B. W. Wells 
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De Vigny'S Cinq Mars. An abbreviated edition with introduction and notes by- 
Professor Sankey of Harrow School, England. Cloth. 292 pages. 80 cts. 

Zola's La Debacle. Abbreviated and annotated by Professor Wells, of the Univer- 
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Choix d'ExtraitS de Daudet. Selected and edited with notes by William Price, 
Instructor in Yale University. Paper. 61 pages. 20 cts. 

Sept Grands Auteurs dU XIXe Siecle. Lectures in easy French on Lamartine, 
Hugo, de Vigny, de Musset, Gautier, M6rim£e, Coppee, by Professor Fortier 
of Tulane University. Cloth. 160 pages. 60 cts. 

French Lyrics. Selected and edited with notes by Professor Bowen of the Uni- 
versity of Ohio. Cloth. 198 pages. 60 cts. 

Lamartine'S Meditations. Selected and edited by Professor Curme of North- 
western University. Cloth. 216 pages. 75 cts. 

Victor Hugo's Hernani. With introduction and notes by Professor Matzke of 
Leland Stanford University. Cloth. 228 pages. 70 cts. 

Victor HugfO'S Ruy Bias. With introduction and notes by Professor Garner of 
the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis. Cloth. 253 pages. 75 cts. 

CorneiUe's Le Cid. With introduction and notes by Professor Warren of Adel- 
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CorneiUe's Polyeucte. With introduction and notes by Professor Fortier of 
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Moliere'S Le Misanthrope. With introduction and notes, by Professor C. A. 

Eggert. Cloth. 000 pages. 30 cts. 

Moliere'S Les Femmes Savantes. With introduction and notes by Professsor 

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Moliere'S Le Tartuffe. With foot-notes by Professor Gasc, England. Boards. 
25 cts. 

Moliere'S Le Medecin MalgTe Lui. With foot-notes by Professor Gasc, Eng- 
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Piron'S La Metromanie. Comedy in verse, with notes by Professor Delbos, 
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Warren's Primer of French Literature. An historical handbook. Cloth. 

256 pages. 75 cts. 

Taine's Introduction a l'Histoire de la Litterature Anglaise. With essay 

on Taine by Irving Babbitt, Harvard University. Paper. 48 pages. 20 cts. 

Duval's Histoire de la Litterature Francaise. In easy French. From earli- 
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Voltaire's Prose. Selected and edited by Professors Cohn and Woodward of 
Columbia University. Cloth. 479 pages. $1.50. 

French Prose Of the XVIIth Century. Selected and edited by Professor War- 
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La Triade Francaise. Poems of Lamartine, Musset and Hugo, with intro- 
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